Macadamia Association of Kenya (MACNUT) has elected a new board following its Annual General Meeting held on February 27, 2026, marking a new chapter for the organisation at a time when Kenya’s macadamia industry is navigating shifting export dynamics and renewed calls for stronger farmer support.
The newly elected board will be chaired by Pally Muthathai, alongside Bernard Sitati as Treasurer, Lisa Muriuki as Secretary, and Joel Kobia and Amir Yusuf as Directors.
Speaking on behalf of the board, Chairperson Pally Muthathai said the association will prioritise deeper collaboration across the value chain, including closer engagement with government institutions and regulators.
“We look forward to working closely with all stakeholders across the macadamia value chain, including the relevant ministries and government authorities. We are grateful for the support that has been accorded to us so far, and we are committed to deepening these engagements for the benefit of the entire industry,” said Muthathai.
The new board said the welfare of farmers will remain central to its agenda, with a focus on expanding market opportunities in the US, Europe and China. Kenya is among the world’s leading producers of macadamia nuts, with the crop becoming a key cash earner for more than 200,000 Kenyans in the domestic value chain.
“Our farmers are the backbone of this industry. We will ensure macadamia farmers receive fair value for their produce and have access to the right knowledge and support is our top priority,” added Muthathai.
As part of this effort, the board plans to strengthen technical support for farmers through training and extension services focused on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). The initiative aims to help growers improve yields, enhance nut quality and maintain Kenya’s competitiveness in global markets.
“We thank the Interim Committee for guiding the Association during the transition period. Their stewardship has helped maintain engagement with industry stakeholders while laying the groundwork for the new board,” said Muthathai.
The new board reiterated its commitment to strengthening collaboration with public and private-sector actors across the macadamia value chain, including processors, exporters, and farmer organisations.
“The board will serve as the primary point of contact for official communications, partnerships and sector engagements within the industry as the Association works toward establishing a permanent secretariat,” said Muthathai.
Macadamia Association Seeks Growth Of Kenya’s Macadamia Sector
The leadership transition at the Macadamia Association of Kenya comes at a pivotal moment for the country’s fast-growing macadamia industry, which has evolved over the past decade into one of Kenya’s most valuable horticultural export segments.
Often referred to as the “queen of nuts,” macadamia has steadily gained prominence among smallholder farmers due to its relatively high returns compared to traditional crops such as coffee and tea. Demand in international markets has continued to expand as consumers increasingly seek plant-based protein sources and premium snack products.
Kenya currently produces tens of thousands of tonnes of macadamia annually, with estimates suggesting national output averages around 45,000 to 61,000 metric tonnes depending on seasonal conditions and pest pressures.
The crop is cultivated across several counties including Murang’a, Meru, Embu, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri and parts of the Rift Valley, with Murang’a consistently emerging as one of the country’s top producers.
For many smallholder farmers in these regions, macadamia has become a key livelihood crop, helping diversify rural incomes and cushioning households against price volatility in other agricultural commodities.
Export Earnings and Value Addition Debate
Despite its growth potential, the macadamia sector has in recent years faced policy debates over export regulations, value addition, and farmer earnings.
The Kenyan government has maintained a ban on exporting raw, in-shell macadamia in order to encourage local processing and boost industrial value chains. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya earned approximately KSh8.7 billion from exporting 10,670 tonnes of processed macadamia between July 2023 and February 2025, significantly higher than the KSh2.3 billion generated from exporting larger volumes of raw nuts during the same period.
Processed macadamia fetches as much as KSh816 per kilogram in global markets compared to roughly KSh161 per kilogram for raw nuts, highlighting the economic rationale behind the push for local processing.
However, the policy has also sparked debate among growers, some of whom argue that processors sometimes lack sufficient capacity to absorb all the nuts produced by farmers during peak harvest seasons. This has occasionally resulted in price fluctuations and calls for more flexible export arrangements.
For the new leadership of the Macadamia Association of Kenya, navigating this policy environment while protecting farmer interests will be one of the key strategic challenges ahead.
Global Demand Creates Long-Term Opportunities
Despite short-term policy debates, global demand trends remain favourable for macadamia producers.
Kenyan macadamia nuts are highly valued in international markets due to their flavour profile, oil content and relatively strict quality standards. Major export destinations include the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Vietnam, China and Japan, which together account for more than 80 percent of Kenya’s macadamia exports.
The global macadamia market has been expanding steadily, driven by the rising popularity of healthy snacks, plant-based diets, and premium nut products used in confectionery and dairy alternatives.
Industry analysts note that Kenya’s ability to maintain strong export growth will depend on improving productivity, maintaining high quality standards, and strengthening traceability systems that meet international food safety regulations.
This is where institutions such as the Macadamia Association of Kenya play a critical role in coordinating industry players, advocating for farmers, and promoting best practices across the value chain.
Addressing Production Challenges
While Kenya enjoys strong demand for its macadamia exports, the sector also faces structural challenges that could undermine its growth if left unaddressed.
Pest infestations, climate variability, and inconsistent farming practices remain major concerns in many production areas. According to industry estimates, pests and crop diseases destroy macadamia nuts worth up to KSh2.88 billion annually, representing significant economic losses for farmers.
Climate change has also intensified the spread of destructive pests such as stink bugs and nut borers, which can damage kernels and significantly reduce export-quality yields.
These challenges highlight the importance of the new board’s emphasis on strengthening technical training and extension services. By promoting Good Agricultural Practices, farmers can improve orchard management, reduce pest damage, and increase the proportion of export-grade nuts.
Improved agronomy practices can also help farmers achieve higher yields per tree, ultimately increasing profitability across the sector.
Another key priority for the new leadership at the Macadamia Association of Kenya will be improving coordination among stakeholders across the value chain.
The macadamia industry involves a complex ecosystem that includes smallholder farmers, cooperatives, aggregators, processors, exporters, regulators, and international buyers. Effective collaboration among these actors is essential to ensuring fair prices, quality control, and sustainable sector growth.
Industry bodies such as MACNUT often act as conveners for policy dialogue between farmers and government agencies, particularly on issues such as farm-gate pricing, export policies, pest management, and certification standards.
By strengthening its institutional presence and eventually establishing a permanent secretariat, the association aims to enhance its capacity to represent farmer interests and coordinate sector development.
As Kenya continues to position itself as a global agricultural export hub, macadamia is expected to remain one of the country’s most promising high-value crops.
The sector already supports more than 200,000 jobs across farming, processing, logistics and export operations, making it a vital contributor to rural livelihoods and foreign exchange earnings.
With growing global demand for premium nuts and healthy food products, industry stakeholders believe Kenya has significant room to expand both production and value-added processing.
For the newly elected board at the Macadamia Association of Kenya, the challenge now lies in translating this potential into tangible benefits for farmers while maintaining Kenya’s reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality macadamia in global markets.
Through stronger collaboration, improved farmer support programs, and strategic engagement with policymakers and international buyers, the association hopes to guide the industry into its next phase of sustainable growth.
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