Kenya: Brokers Pushing Us to Poverty, Meru Macadamia Farmers Say

Macadamia farmers in Meru County have called on the government to intervene and root out cartels which they say have impoverished them after taking control of the sector. Between 2009 when export of raw nuts was banned in Kenya and 2012, the sector was controlled by middle men who bought nuts for as low as Sh20 a kilo. But farm gate prices improved from Sh30 a kilo in 2013 to Sh200 a kilo last year However, with the closure of industries after the Covid-19 outbreak early this year, prices have plummeted to a low of Sh40 a kilo currently, with farmers now accusing processors of colluding with brokers who have made a comeback. Meru Macadamia Farmers Association Chairman Joshua Muriira said brokers have once more taken over the market and called on Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya to step in. Covid-19 effect He said processors have exploited the Covid-19 situation and announced suspension of buying, yet they are receiving nuts from brokers. "We are back to where we were ...