December 4, 2025
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) recently issued a notice requiring all macadamia exporters, processors, importers and marketing agents to declare any macadamia stocks harvested before 1st December 2025. This comes as the country prepares for the annual seasonal closure on harvesting and trade in domestically produced macadamia nuts.
AFA, which regulates scheduled crops under the Agriculture and Food Authority Act, 2013, said the declaration is necessary to ensure compliance with Kenya’s quality and maturity standards for both domestic and export markets.
The move follows the Authority’s earlier announcement on 10th November 2025, which confirmed that the seasonal closure will run from 1st December 2025 to 15th February 2026. During this period, the export of locally produced macadamia harvested within the closure window is not permitted.
Mandatory Stock Declaration
According to the notice, all macadamia value-chain players must declare the quantities of nuts currently in storage that were harvested before the closure date.
Verification by AFA Officers
The Authority will dispatch verification officers to inspect declared stocks, assess maturity levels, and confirm compliance with legal and quality requirements.
Only quantities that are both declared and verified will be eligible for export during the closure period.
Protecting Quality and Market Standards
The seasonal restriction is intended to prevent premature harvesting, an issue that has historically hurt Kenya’s macadamia quality and reduced the country’s competitiveness in international markets.
By ensuring that only mature nuts enter the supply chain, AFA aims to protect farmers, stabilize prices, and maintain Kenya’s reputation as a top global macadamia producer.
Stakeholders seeking clarification are advised to contact the Authority through info@afa.go.ke