Kakuzi hosts WMO CEO Jillian Laing to debate Macadamia development
The World Macadamia Organisation (WMO) has confirmed ongoing plans to help the macadamia business by way of rising demand for the superfood within the international market.
Speaking at first of a weeklong supply market familiarisation go to to Kenya, WMO Chief Executive Officer Jillian Laing, whereas touring Kakuzi PLC Macadamia Orchards in Murang’a County, stated the organisation is working laborious to extend market demand and consumption in India, China and the United States amongst different key markets because the constructive well being attributes of macadamias proceed to drive client demand.
Ms Laing stated the group is funded by processors within the main supply markets world wide. This yr, they’re asking processors in Kenya to affix the organisation straight. Nine Kenyan-based processors have already dedicated, and extra discussions are underway. The WMO raises the profile of macadamias, improves sustainability, and helps meals producers and shoppers entry related details about the superfood.
According to WMO knowledge, Kenya is presently ranked because the quantity three main nut-in-shell and kernel Macadamia exporter, with an anticipated market supply of 44,000 metric tonnes by the shut of this yr. On the highest place, South Africa is on observe to ship greater than 88,000 metric tonnes, intently adopted by Australia with a 50,830 metric tonnes forecast.
“I am pleased to be in Kenya this week and to meet source market partners. I am impressed by the quality of the orchards and value-added products, including cold-pressed macadamia oil and ready-to-eat snacks packed by Kakuzi PLC. At World Macadamia Organisation, we are focused on promoting macadamias globally to help consumers connect with the benefits of including macadamias in their food choices and stimulate growth in existing and untapped markets,” Laing stated.
She added, ” As the provision of macadamias has been growing worldwide, product builders want quick access to info, and the business requires clear pointers and knowledge to satisfy market expectations, which we proceed to ship.”
In the medium time period, international Macadamia provide is forecast to extend from 345,700T in 2024 to 560,000T in 2029, a compound annual development price of 10.2%.
Kakuzi PLC not too long ago commissioned a Macadamia Oil Extraction Plant to satisfy the rising demand for value-added merchandise inside its superfood portfolio. Domestic gross sales of value-added macadamia merchandise can even assist mitigate challenges within the worldwide enviornment as a result of a prevailing macadamia glut within the international market.
The Kakuzi Macadamia Oil processing plant, which has a every day extraction capability of 1,000 litres per week, is a part of the agency’s income and product diversification methods. Alongside the macadamia oil processing plant, the Kakuzi Macadamia Processing Plant has an put in capability of 2000 tons of saleable kernel (SK), making it one of many largest within the area.
The Kakuzi Macadamia operations began in 2007 in fields beforehand underneath Coffee and Pineapple crops. Currently, the Macadamia Orchards cowl greater than 1379 Hectares, and the Kakuzi Macadamia Division supplies greater than 1200 first rate jobs in a rural setting. This might double in dimension because the orchards mature within the coming years.
As a part of Kakuzi’s quest to grow to be Carbon Neutral, the agency can be exploring potential avenues to make use of macadamia shells for power technology and the manufacturing of activated carbon.
