Macadamias: focus on raw material exports to China
November 10, 2025 at 12:23 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Disadvantage for Kenyan suppliers
As reported by The Standard, Kenyan macadamia farmers are now vehemently calling on the government to relax the export ban on raw macadamia nuts. They point to low farmgate prices and unsold stocks in the growing regions. Their proposal is to release 30% of annual production for export to China. Kenya produces around 61,000 mt of macadamias worth USD 30 million annually, making it the world's fourth largest producer.
Muriithi Gichabi of Macadamia Growers of Kenya says that processing plants cannot keep up with this volume, which also limits the options for traders and puts pressure on prices. Senator Kamau Murango from Kirinyaga adds that other producing countries such as Zimbabwe and Australia have an advantage over market players in Kenya with a healthy mix of raw material and processed goods exports. So far, however, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) does not appear to have any concrete plans to ease the export ban on raw macadamias, arguing that raw material shipments to China would undermine Kenya's market share in Europe.
Caution is advised
Raw material exports to China also play an important role in the South African macadamia market. Shane Hartman, CEO of Global Macadamias, warned in Farmers Review Africa that dependence on these exports poses a major risk. At the recent MacDay event organised by Macadamias South Africa (SAMAC), Chinese participants stated that production in their own country is increasing and that China is therefore less dependent on South African shipments. South Africa should therefore increase local processing and expand the markets for shelled macadamias, which could also lead to higher prices.
EU imports up by almost 29%
The EU is an important customer for South African macadamias. South Africa is the largest supplier here – between 1 January and 2 November 2025, EU countries imported a total of 4,589 mt of shelled and unshelled macadamia nuts from South Africa, which is a good 32% more than in the same period last year. Kenya follows in second place with shipments of 2,199 mt and an increase of just under 28%, followed by Australia, Malawi and Guatemala. Total EU imports amounted to 8,782 mt.
The largest buyer within the EU is the Netherlands, which increased its imports by 32.3% to 3,400 mt compared to the same period last year. Germany (+26.7% to 2,750 mt) and Spain (+17.6% to 991 mt) follow in second and third place. The average import price during the period mentioned was EUR 11.29/kg, a substantial 35% higher than in 2024. This brings the total import value to more than 99 million EUR, a considerable 73.9% above last year's level.
|
EU macadamia imports, in mt |
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|
Partner |
2024 |
2025 |
Diff. |
|
South Africa |
3,468 |
4,589 |
32.3% |
|
Kenya |
1,721 |
2,199 |
27.8% |
|
Australia |
574 |
729 |
27.0% |
|
Malawi |
549 |
508 |
-7.5% |
|
Guatemala |
285 |
326 |
14.4% |
|
Others |
227 |
431 |
89.9% |
|
Total |
6,824 |
8,782 |
28.7% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/01-02/11 08026100+08026200 Macadamias, shelled and inshell |
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