Macadamia farmers across the country have been warned against selling their produce to brokers offering extremely low prices, after reports emerged that some traders are buying nuts for as little as Ksh30 per kilogram despite the government-set minimum price of Ksh100.

In a notice issued on Thursday, April 30, 2026, the MacNut Association of Kenya (MACNUT) said the growing trend is hurting farmers, weakening the sector, and exposing producers to losses after months of investment in planting, maintenance and harvesting.

The association said some of these brokers are also linked to the illegal smuggling of nut-in-shell macadamia, a practice that continues to affect legal trade and deny local processors enough supply for value addition within the country.

“The MacNut Association of Kenya (MACNUT) has urged macadamia farmers across the country not to be misled or manipulated by brokers offering unfairly low prices for their macadamia nuts, warning that such practices undermine farmer livelihoods and the long-term sustainability of the sector.

“MACNUT emphasised that these same brokers are the ones involved in the illegal smuggling of nut-in-shell (NIS). There is serious concern over the smuggling of nut-in-shell, which continues to distort the market and undermine legitimate trade.

“The Association has called on the Government to intensify enforcement and prosecute individuals and networks involved in NIS smuggling, noting that illegal trade weakens policy implementation and harms compliant farmers and processors,” the statement reads.

MACNUT said the government must increase enforcement and ensure those involved in illegal trade are arrested and prosecuted to protect both farmers and legitimate businesses in the sector.

The association insisted that farmers must not accept prices below the Ministry of Agriculture’s official minimum price, saying such offers are exploitative and unfair to hardworking growers.

“We want to be very clear: farmers deserve fair, transparent, and predictable pricing for their macadamia,” Pally Muchiri, Chairperson of the MacNut Association of Kenya stated.

The association further stressed that all members remain fully behind the government directive on the Ksh100 minimum buying price and warned that anything below that amount amounts to taking advantage of farmers

The association added that many growers spend years nurturing macadamia trees, paying labour and protecting crops, and should not be forced to sell at prices that do not reflect that effort and investment.

“As an association and together with our members, we remain fully committed to the Ministry of Agriculture’s minimum price of KShs 100 per kilo. Any price below this is exploitative and does not reflect the value of farmers’ labour and investment,” the statement reads.

MACNUT also asked farmers not to panic over the tetraphylla macadamia variety, explaining that the crop is not yet fully mature and will be ready in the coming weeks, with processors prepared to buy mature nuts.

The association warned that rushing to sell immature produce only exposes farmers to lower prices, rejection and further financial losses that could have been avoided through patience and better market coordination.

It also argued that exporting nuts in shell means Kenya loses jobs and income that should remain in local communities through processing and value addition.

“When we export nuts in shell, we export jobs and income that should remain in Kenya,” Muchiri added.

“Value addition at home strengthens our economy, supports thousands of households, and protects farmers from volatile and exploitative markets.”

The association said it will begin farmer field days from May in partnership with county and national governments to promote good farming practices and encourage cooperative models similar to tea and coffee sectors.

Farmers are urged to stay alert, reject exploitative brokers and work together to protect the future of Kenya’s macadamia industry.