What makes macadamia different
The shell is the hardest of any commercial nut. Cracking it without damaging the kernel requires purpose-built equipment, which is why in-shell macadamia is bought by processors with a cracking line rather than by anyone else.
The oil content is very high. That is what gives the kernel its texture and flavour, and it is also what makes it fragile commercially — the fat oxidises, so moisture control and packaging matter more than they do for almost any other nut. A kernel that has been allowed to take up moisture, or sat in a compromised pack, deteriorates quickly.
The trade rules move. Kenya has at various points restricted or permitted the export of nut-in-shell, with the aim of supporting domestic processing. That means the practical question for a buyer is not only what is grown but what may lawfully leave the country in the season being contracted.
Products and references
- Product
Nut-in-shell (NIS)
For processors with cracking capacity; priced on sound kernel recovery.
View - Product
Kernels
Processed kernel, graded by style and quality grade.
View - Reference
Grades
How premium and commercial kernel grades are separated.
View - Reference
Kernel styles
The size and wholeness classification used in kernel trade.
View - Reference
Specifications
The full parameter set for an NIS or kernel contract.
View - Reference
Moisture
Why macadamia moisture limits are far tighter than other nuts.
View - Logistics
Packaging
Vacuum packing, cartons and what protects a high-oil kernel.
View - Origin
Kenya macadamia
The main origin, and the trade rules that shape it.
View - Origin
Tanzania macadamia
A smaller offering suited to part loads and second-origin strategies.
View
Season
| Product | Country | Harvest months | Main trading period | Typical availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macadamia (in-shell) | Kenya | Approx. March – June | Bought against the season, subject to local rulesIndicative | In-shell and kernel availability are affected by national trade rules that change from season to season; confirm current status before contracting. |
| Macadamia (in-shell) | Tanzania | Approx. March – June | Smaller offering than KenyaIndicative | Volumes are smaller; suited to buyers taking part loads or building a second origin. |
Macadamia questions
What is the difference between macadamia NIS and kernels?
NIS is nut-in-shell — the dried nut before cracking, bought by processors with cracking capacity and priced on the kernel it will yield. Kernels are the processed product, graded by style and quality grade and ready for packing or manufacturing use.
Which East African countries supply macadamia?
Kenya is the main origin in this programme, with a smaller Tanzanian offering. Rwanda appears as a developing origin with limited volumes. Availability from each is confirmed at quotation.
Can macadamia nut-in-shell be exported from Kenya?
The position has changed between seasons, with restrictions applied at various points to support domestic processing. Because the rule is not stable, it is established for the specific season being contracted rather than assumed.
Why is macadamia moisture control so strict?
Because the kernel is very high in oil and the oil oxidises. Kernel moisture has to be brought to a much lower level than for most nuts and held there, which makes drying, packing integrity and storage conditions central rather than incidental.
Request the current specification
Documents are issued against the current crop and the packing format you intend to buy, so what you receive matches what can actually be shipped.
- Product specification sheet for the current crop
- Packing and marking details for your chosen format
- Certificate of analysis from the nominated laboratory
- Sample dispatch, where a physical sample is required before contracting
Ready to specify macadamia?
Send the grade, quantity, packing format, destination port and required period. Those five details are what make an offer possible on the first reply rather than the third.