Corona cuts macadamia gate prices by 75 percent
Friday, June 19, 2020 0:01
By GITONGA MARETE
Brokers are now mopping up the nuts at throwaway prices.
FILE PHOTO | NMG
The Coronavirus disease has hit hard macadamia farmers after its price plunged to Sh50 from Sh200 last year, a 75 percent drop.
This left producers at the mercy of brokers who are now mopping up the nuts at throwaway prices, the farmers said.
Daniel Murungi, a farmer in Tigania East, said he had sold about 5,000 kilos since the season began in March at an average price of Sh60, earning Sh300,000.
Meru Macadamia Farmers Association chairman Joshua Muriira said processors including Kenya Nut and Jungle Nut closed buying centres, fuelling the low prices.
