macadamia farming in Kenya

Last updated on June 9th, 2023 at 08:04 pm

This article focuses on macadamia farming in Kenya. Macadamia is one of the most profitable crops in Kenya.

One acre of land can support 70 macadamia trees.

A mature macadamia tree can produce between 50 and 300 kilograms of macadamia nuts.

However, the majority of farmers in Kenya harvest less than the mentioned figures due to various challenges, the most common being pests and diseases.

Macadamia trees take about 6 to 7 years to start bearing fruit.

The Best Macadamia Species/Varieties in Kenya

The most recommended macadamia variety to grow is Murang’a 20 (MRG-20).

Many agricultural experts and researchers support this species because it grows quickly and quickly adapts to different climates.

The MRG-20 variety is the best to plant, or it is advisable to plant different varieties for cross-pollination purposes.

Other types of macadamia nuts are;

• ARK-15,
• EMB-1,
• KMB-3.

Conditions/requirements for growing macadamia

• Acidic soil is very deep.
• Rainfall is expected to range from 800 to 1200 mm per year.
• This can be stimulated by irrigation, especially in areas that do not receive much rainfall.
• The proper spacing of macadamia trees, usually 10 by 10 meters. This ensures that the plants can receive sunlight.
  It is advisable to regularly brush your macadamia and add manure at least once a year, for nutritional purposes.
• Protect your macadamias from high winds by planting windproof plants.

Harvesting macadamia nuts

Most of the farmers suffer heavy losses during harvest, especially harvesting immature fruits.

This means that immature fruit will be stored for some time. It can affect the quality of the nut.

Therefore, it is wise to collect only mature fruits.
It is also good to store the harvested seeds in sisal bags.

Licensed Macadamia Processors In Kenya

1. Jungle Nuts Limited

Location: Thika

Contact: +254 20 514 2800

Email: info@junglenuts.co.ke

2. Hannjo Nuts Limited

Location: Nanyuki Road, Nairobi

Contact: 0746 490 746

Email: info@hannjonuts.com

3. Equatorial Nut Processors Limited

Location: Parklands

Contacts: +254 20 804 3083, +254 20 375 3124

Email: info@equatorialnut.co.ke

4. Paem Company Limited

Location: Kidhimani Road, Industrial Area, Thika

Contact: +254 672 220 447

Email: info@paemnuts.co.ke

5. Sagana Nuts Company Ltd

Location: Sagana Town

Contact: 0727 819 332

Email: info@saganuts.co.ke

6. Afri China International Limited

Location: Imara Daima, Nairobi

Contact: 0716 510 222

Email: afchnk@yahoo.com

7. Eureka Nuts EPZ Ltd

Location: Athi River

Contacts: 0792 565 464, 0720 926 372

Email: info@eurekanutsepz.co.ke

8. Superfine Africa Nuts Limited

Location: Thika

Contacts: 0799 000 606

Email: info@superfineafricanuts.com

9. Athi River Oil Africa EPZ Ltd

Location: Athi River

Contacts: 0735 474 127

Email: info@athioils.com

10. Fair Oils EPZ Ltd

Location: Athi River

Contact: 0719 762 543

11. Rainsun Nuts Company Limited

Location: Karatina

Contact: 0722 794 044

Email: rainsun2015@yahoo.com

12. Privam Nuts Company

Location: Embu

Contacts: 0709 765 000, 0709 765 257

Email: info@privamnuts.co.ke

13. Lenana Processors Limited

Location: Kiambu County

Contact: 0707 590 103

Email: finance@lenana.co.ke

14. Limbua Group Limited

Location: Embu

Contact: 0725 966 383

Email: info@limbua-group.com

15. The Village Nuts

Location: Karatina

Contact: 0722 380 272

Email: info@thevillagenuts.co.ke

16. Farm Gate East Africa Limited

Location: Mombasa

Contacts: 0718 009 877, +254 41 501 0000

Email: info@farmgate.co.ke

17. Ten Senses Africa

Location: Athi River

Contact: 0795 371 230

Email: admin@tensenses.com

18. Wish Kenya Private Ltd

Location: Thika

Contact: 0726 351 588

Email: wishkenya@yahoo.com

19. Wondernut International

Location: Athi River

Contacts: 0722 713 075, 0733 606 707

Email: wondernut@swiftkenya.com

20. Afrimac Nuts Company Limited

Location: Along Kenol-Murang’a Road, Maragua

Contact: 0723 706 358

Email: admin@afrimac.co.ke

21. Kakuzi Limited

Location: Thika

Contacts: 0722 205 895, 0722 205 342

Email: mail@kakuzi.co.ke

22. Macnuts International EPZ Ltd

Location: Athi River

Contacts: 0726 351 588, 0722 701 432

Email: info@macnutsinternational.com

23. Batian Nuts Limited

Location: Nkubu

Contact: 0759 087 909

Email: admin@batiannuts.co.ke

24. Sasini Nuts EPZ Ltd

Contact: +254 20 342 166

Email: info@sasini.co.ke

25. Jumbo Nuts Limited

Location: Embu

Contacts: +254 068 223 1693/4

Email: info@jumbonuts.co.ke

26. Exotic EPZ Limited

Location: Sameer Industrial Park, Off Enterprise Road, Nairobi

Contact: 0792 963 890

Email: info@exoticepz.co.ke

27. Farmica EPZ Limited

Location: Athi River

Contact: 0798 363 644

Email: avraj@farmica.co.ke