I was upcountry this Easter season.I hope you all relaxed from the hectic urban life and enjoyed.

I noticed that these the local market is flooded with these nuts and they are selling them at a price that is a far cry from what I see in supermarket shelves.I spoke to one distributor/collector of the nuts and thought we could do some business if I secure a good market for these.

Any idea from Wazuans on Macadamia market within and outside the country. Suggestions please.

He told me that during harvesting season(March to August ) he can collect upto 3 tonnes a week but with a ready market the collection can be increased.

He told me due to the high quality , macadamias from my ancestral land have very high demand(we also farm coffee in the area but macadamias are now a hit).

Saidia

where is this rural place? And how much is the current price they are being offered? If you can answer those two questions i may be able to assist.

At least 5T needed ASAP of size 19 and above, 90% excellent quality.

Prodigy , please check your mail and respond.

It's the season indeed.

1. It's illegal to export unprocessed macadamia nuts out of Kenya.You must therefore deliver to the few established processors for export.I know Kenya Nut in Thika.
2.Kenya Nut have established collection centres in each macadamia growing region and they pay cash upon delivery. Payment is per kg (have forgotten the price quoted but it's some good cash)
3.It's not easy to enter as a new agent because the current agents offer incentives to farmers at low price.
4.If you plan to collect from farmers ensure that you can beat what Kenya nut agents are offering them.
5.Credit is a no no,because farmers are used to COD terms.
6. If as new agent you collect say 2tons from different farmers,it gets sorted (separation of good from bad)thereby leaving you with 1.8 tons,you will get paid for 1.8tons but still pay farmers for the 2tons collected.
This is a risk.

My take?
1. Find out who covers your region and how many farmers deliver to the centre.
2.Look for the comparitive advantage and utilise it fully.
3. Offer more incentives to farmers than what the current agent is offering.
4. Once you have won the farmers,you are in business. The Price is set by the processor.

As for export,there is very good market abroad.
I believe that the few processors can tell you the buyers.

Thankyou @Kysse and Bigchick.
My email address is carryiegoh@gmail.com

Know if they cold press the nuts for oil? I'd like to try the oil

I think it takes years to start bearing fruit..after that easy going

Anybody who has delved into macadamia farming?

Experience?