Macadamia nuts Kenya

Do you have a macadamia nuts processing business or facility in Kenya? Are you interested in making your business sustainable so that it is future-proof? And are you interested in an improved market position in the EU? The Netherlands Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) can help you. CBI’s macadamia nuts Kenya project offers you good opportunities:

• Learn more about sustainability trends;
• Find out which opportunities there are for your company in the European markets;
• Learn more about European requirements, legislation and certification;
• Learn everything you need to know to be a successful exporter;
• Get assistance from our sector expert;
• Get assistance to enter the EU market.

Project details

This project helps selected Kenyan small and medium-sized processors apply Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) principles to their businesses. It also helps these processors establish themselves in EU and regional markets. The project focuses on boosting the export of fair, efficient and sustainably-sourced macadamia kernels.

This project aims to:

• Increase stakeholders’ access to EU market channels by applying sustainable business practices;
• Improve the competitiveness of Kenyan macadamia nut processors internationally; and
• Ensure the long-term growth and success of the Kenyan macadamia nut sector by establishing stronger market links.
   

To achieve these goals, the project will focus on:

1. Applying sustainable business practices. The EU market shows demand for fairly and sustainably sourced and processed macadamia nuts.
2. Improving the quality and quantity of macadamia nuts. Predictably sized and high-quality macadamia nuts will improve the sector’s competitiveness.
3. Creating an integrated value chain. If stakeholders in the value chain work together, sustainable growth will be easier.  
    

What can you expect from this CBI project?

CBI offers technical assistance through practical business export coaching. This project is for (aspiring) SME processors in the Kenyan macadamia nut sector. CBI prepares your company with the skills and knowledge you need to enter or improve your access to the European market.

The project consists of 2 phases.

Phase 1 (mid-2022 until mid-2023)

In phase 1, the project focuses on helping SMEs become more sustainable and follow sustainability trends. It also focuses on making supply chain management more efficient. A CBI sector expert will provide support on-site and online.

At the end of phase 1, CBI will decide whether to continue the project. CBI will base this decision on the results achieved in phase 1. 

Phase 2 (mid-2023 until mid-2026)

In the second phase, the project will continue with the work started in phase 1. In this phase, the project will also focus on meeting EU market access requirements and EU market entry. The CBI sector expert will continue to provide support on-site and online. The selected companies will carry out market entry activities. Examples of these activities include buyer/seller missions and participation in trade shows.

The project includes:

• 4 years of company coaching. International and local experts provide this coaching;
• Help creating or improving your international market entry strategy;
• Training on market requirements. This includes training on Corporate Social Responsibility/Responsible Business Conduct (CSR/RBC), legislation and certification for your market entry plans;
• Market entry activities;
• Help to improve your market links and business practices during each stage of the value chain. This includes suppliers, processors, importers, and so on.
   

Who can apply?

Country: Kenya
Sector: Processed fruit and vegetables and edible nuts
Products: Macadamia nuts

You can apply for this project if your company meets these requirements:

• Type of company:
  • SMEs, cooperatives, processors, and exporters with up to 250 employees;
  • Offers macadamia-based products for export;
  • At least 51% locally owned.
• No joint venture with an organisation based in a non-developing country;
• No licensing commitments that prohibit or limit exports to the EU;
• Management that can communicate in English.

What do we expect from you?

CBI is looking for ambitious and highly motivated SMEs that are:

• Pro-active and flexible;
• Fully committed to the activities and external coaching throughout the project;
• Willing to invest time into the action plan made for their company;
• Willing to meet international market requirements;
• Willing to invest in improving CSR/RBC practices in their company;
• Ambitious and motivated to take the next step with their company.
   

As well as:

• Willing to pay for costs related to activities. For example, part of the costs for trade fair participation and sustainability activities. CBI and its partners do not cover the costs of travelling, lodging and sending samples;
• Willing to take part with dedicated and qualified people during all CBI visits, workshops and training sessions. Please note that all activities will be in English;
• Committed to investing in the necessary changes to become successful in the European market and increase sustainability. Changes may apply to staff allocation, products, production and export marketing;
• Willing to, if necessary, build on a good relationship with aggregators;
• Willing to provide CBI and its partners with their company’s name, logo, achievements and the details of new business contacts for promotion of the project;
• Willing to inform CBI about the company’s progress on export and sustainability. CBI will treat the provided information as confidential.
   

Costs

You do not have to pay a fee to take part in this project. CBI will finance most project costs. But participants must pay for the following costs:

• Flights and other travel expenses for market entry activities;
• Domestic travel expenses if training sessions are outside your city.

CBI does not provide financial assistance to individual companies or support organisations.

Partners

CBI works with many organisations active in the sector to:

• Improve supply chain management across the value chain;
• Implement Responsible Business Conduct at the sector level;
• Brand Kenyan macadamia nuts in the EU.

Interested?

The deadline for completing the application form was 1 July 2022. If you missed the deadline but are interested in taking part in this project, please email us at agriculture@cbi.eu.

For questions or more information, please contact us at agriculture@cbi.eu. We will contact you as soon as possible if we select your company for the next phase in the application process.