Embu: Lobby raises the alarm on nut quality

Nut Traders Association of Kenya deputy national chairman John Kathangu speaks to the press in Embu town on Saturday. (Joseph Muchiri, Standard)

A macadamia lobby group now claims importers are rejecting this year’s produce because of poor quality.

Nut Traders Association of Kenya Vice Chairman John Kathangu (pictured) has accused some macadamia processors of disregarding an advisory that macadamia harvesting season should commence on February 15 when the crop is expected to mature.

“As early as late December brokers were buying immature nuts and delivering them to some processors.

We raised the matter and wondered why Agriculture and Food Authority was not enforcing the directive. The poor quality nuts risk ruining Kenya’s market,” he said.