Macadamias: good news from Australia
October 23, 2024 at 12:33 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Farmers feel ripped off
Farmers in Kenya are still protesting against the current export regulations for raw macadamias and cashews. According to the Agriculture and Food Authority Act, this states that raw materials can only be exported with a licence from the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Agriculture in order to promote processing in Kenya. Therefore, more processed nuts are to be exported instead of raw nuts. Here, however, the growers see themselves at a great disadvantage, as middlemen sometimes only pay them very small amounts: For example, The Standard states that a kilogramme of raw macadamia nuts is bought from the farmers for 30 KSH and then resold for 3,600 KSH, all at the expense of the mostly already poor growers. The more than 1,200 farmers are demanding, among other things, the establishment of a price control council to control the export market and eliminate the cartels responsible for the low farm gate prices.
As The Standard reports, Taita Taveta Macadamia Cooperative Society chairman Peter Mwabili made the following comments at a recent meeting: “We are calling for the review of the Acts because they do not specify the quantity of the crop the CS can approve for export. And that is why it should be amended for the benefit of the farmers and Kenyans”. He thus represents the view of farmers who are demanding more protection from middlemen.
Best values for Australia
Meanwhile, the Australian Macadamia Society (AMS) has good news for the Australian macadamia industry. In the latest National Residue Survey (NRS), the country once again scored top marks. The NRS is an important part of Australia's system for managing the risk of chemical residues and environmental pollutants in animal and plant products. The survey, which is overseen by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, helps to facilitate access to domestic and export markets. “The 2023-24 survey marks the 27th consecutive year of perfect results, reinforcing our industry's commitment to excellence and sustainable macadamia production”, states the AMS.
EU imports are declining
EU macadamia imports in the period from 1 January to 20 October 2024 were almost 10% lower than last year. South Africa remains the undisputed most important supplier, followed by Kenya, although both countries suffered a drop in their shipments. The situation is different for Malawi, which increased its exports to the EU by a whopping 94% and is now the third most important supplier. It is followed by Australia in 4th place and Guatemala in 5th place, although both recorded large declines of 47.7% and 53.1% respectively. The EU imported a total of 6,044 mt of shelled macadamias in the period mentioned. The top importer is the Netherlands with 2,380 mt, followed by Germany and Spain.
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EU macadamia imports, in mt |
|||
|
Supplier |
2023 |
2024 |
Diff. |
|
South Africa |
3,373 |
3,064 |
-9.2% |
|
Kenya |
1,619 |
1,547 |
-4.4% |
|
Malawi |
283 |
549 |
94.0% |
|
Australia |
852 |
480 |
-43.7% |
|
Guatemala |
486 |
228 |
-53.1% |
|
Others |
73 |
176 |
141.1% |
|
Total |
6,686 |
6,044 |
-9.6% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/0.-20/10 |
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