China has confirmed the import of 54 tonnes of macadamia nuts from Kenya, which raises questions given that the Kenyan government had announced a ban on the export of raw macadamias.
According to Chinese authorities, the shipment took 30 days to reach Hunan Province and was purchased directly from an African supplier.
Du Xiaohui, the Director-General of the Department of African Affairs at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced the arrival of the first batch of nuts this year and stated that total imports are expected to reach 2,000 tonnes.
“Glad to see 54 tonnes of Kenyan macadamia nuts arrived in Hunan, which is the first batch of nut products imported from Africa to Hunan Province this year. Total imports of this delicious nut are expected to reach 2,000 tons this year. The Chinese market welcomes Kenyan products,” Du Xiaohui stated.
The announcement came a few days after Kenya's Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) said on July 18 that it is prohibited to export raw macadamia nuts from Kenya.
The AFA's statement said that several shipments of raw macadamia nuts trying to pass through Kenya had been stopped at the borders.
The AFA explained that the ban is in place to protect local businesses that process nuts and to help create more jobs in the country.
"These interceptions are in line with Kenya's continued enforcement of the Crops Act, 2013 and the Crops (Nuts and Oil Crops) Regulations, 2020, which aim to safeguard the local nut processing industry and promote value addition within the country,” part of the AFA statement read.
Although the AFA notice was issued several days after the shipment had already left for China, the rather conflicting reports caused a stir online, with concerned Kenyans demanding answers.
One Mosh Jaseme asked: "How is this possible when they were prohibited?"
Another user also expressed concerns, questioning how the Chinese authorities had acquired the nuts from Kenya.
“The macadamia purchases in Kenya are closed. How did you source them?” asked Korir Lang’at, another netizen.
