AFA warns public against forged macadamia export letter

KENYA – The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has raised the alarm over a forged letter authorizing the export of raw macadamia nuts.

The letter, dated 21 May 2025, falsely claims approval from the Ministry of Agriculture and carries the forged signature of the Cabinet Secretary.

In a statement released this week, AFA confirmed that the letter is fake and warned exporters, law enforcement, and the public not to act on it.

“The letter in question is a forgery and was not issued through any legitimate channel,” the Authority said. “The ban on the export of raw (in-shell) macadamia nuts remains in force. No exemptions have been granted as of the date of this release.”

AFA has reported the matter to the Inspector General of Police and called for investigations into all individuals involved in drafting, sharing, or attempting to use the document.

“We urge all exporters, enforcement agencies, and the general public to disregard the forged letter in its entirety,” the agency said. It also warned against any efforts to engage in or assist the export of raw macadamia nuts, which remains illegal under the Agriculture and Food Authority Act of 2013.

The export ban aims to promote local processing and protect jobs in Kenya’s nut industry. By restricting the sale of raw, in-shell macadamia nuts to foreign buyers, the law supports local value addition before the product leaves the country.

The forged document comes at a time when interest in Kenyan macadamia is growing, especially from China. Kenyan farmers and exporters have seen increased demand from Chinese buyers, who prefer raw, in-shell macadamia.

China has also become a major market for Kenyan avocado. In 2023, Kenya exported 4,324.1 tonnes of avocado to China, a sharp rise from 443.6 tonnes the previous year, according to Chinese customs data. This increase followed the start of direct avocado exports to China in August 2022.

During a recent visit to Beijing, President William Ruto addressed the challenge of tariffs on Kenyan products. Speaking at a diaspora Town Hall, he said, “Chinese companies admit that Kenyan tea and coffee are premium, but today, they are subject to tariffs, and that is what impedes their export.”

He added, “That way we can export more to China and export better products,” while expressing hope for a trade agreement similar to Kenya’s arrangement with the United States under AGOA.

Despite these efforts to expand access to foreign markets, AFA remains firm that all exports must follow the law. The Authority pledged to continue protecting Kenya’s agricultural trade from fraud and illegal activity.

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