NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 20 – The government is ramping up efforts to promote value addition and local consumption of agricultural products as part of its industrialisation agenda, Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has said.
Speaking during a tour of Kakuzi Plc orchards in Murang’a County, Kinyanjui said Kenya has strong potential to produce edible oils from macadamia and other oil crops, a move that could cut the import bill and support the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative.
He noted that sustained global demand for food products positions the country to expand its agro-exports while creating jobs locally.
Kinyanjui added that the government will continue supporting exporters as it opens up international markets through economic partnership agreements, stressing the need to boost production to meet rising demand.
Kakuzi, Kenya’s largest avocado producer and operator of the country’s biggest single macadamia orchard estate, is targeting to double its export earnings to over $100 million (Sh18 billion) annually in the medium term.
Managing Director Chris Flowers said the firm is implementing a diversification strategy aimed at strengthening earnings and shareholder value through value-added products.
The company has also committed over $15 million (Sh2.7 billion) to expand its blueberry farming from 10 hectares to 100 hectares.
Additionally, Kakuzi has invested in a macadamia processing plant with a cold-press oil extraction unit capable of handling 2,000 tonnes of saleable kernel, positioning it among the largest such facilities in the country.
The firm recently rolled out new products including loose-leaf tea, ready-to-eat macadamia, cold-pressed macadamia oil and blueberry offerings, now available in select retail outlets and online.
