By Nicholas Waitathu
Farmers can start harvesting and trading macadamia nuts beginning Feb 1, 2026. Agriculture and Food Authority confirms (AFA), Director General, Dr. Bruno Linyiru says farmers will be allowed to start harvesting the fruits following surveys conducted last month ascertaining maturity of the nuts.
Dr. Linyiru says between 19th and 23rd January 2026, AFA conducted a targeted macadamia maturity surveillance exercise across major macadamia-growing counties to ascertain the prevailing maturity status. The surveillance findings revealed variable maturity levels across agro-ecological zones.
“In view of these findings, and following requests from stakeholders, the authority will officially re-open the harvesting and trading of macadamia nuts effective Feb 1, 2026,” he said.
AFA imposed a seasonal closure on the harvesting and trading of domestically produced macadamia nuts on Dec 1, 2025 to safeguard kernel quality, oil content, shelf life and to protect Kenya’s reputation in premium international macadamia markets.
“Most nuts in lower-altitude coffee growing zones had attained physiological maturity, with some mature nuts naturally dropping to the ground, necessitating collection and hoe drying. In contrast, nuts in higher-altitude tea growing zones were largely immature,” said Dr. Linyiru.
He is urging farmers to only harvest mature nuts and allow immature ones to develop.