This comes after the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE)-listed firm recently commissioned a macadamia oil extraction plant in Thika, Kiambu County.
It has also diversified into ready-to-eat macadamia, gluten-free macadamia flour, and blueberry packs that will be progressively introduced into the market.
The introductions followed an intensive research and development (R&D) programme, the firm says.
Its managing director, Chris Flowers, said that the management is actively working to deliver domestic market products.
“The products are expanding as we strive to provide nutritious, healthy and affordable food responsibly grown in Kenya,” said Flowers.
On his part, State Department for Crop Development Principal Secretary Phillip Kello Harsama said that the government is advancing the National Edible Oil Crops Promotion Project, which provides an avenue to diversify the pool of edible oils beyond sunflower, canola, and soyabean.
“This development offers a route to double up the consumption of macadamia nuts locally through value addition in the face of the current global glut,” Harsama said.
Kakuzi Plc Chairman Nick Ng’ang’a added that they will focus on sharing expertise and quality standards with local and international consumers.
“Over the last 95 years, Kakuzi has grown from a sisal grower, citrus, passion and pineapple fruits grower to a superfoods producer and exporter of repute,” Ng’ang’a said.
“We have over that period gained immense experience in all our stakeholder engagements and can now aim to unlock value with a distinct corporate identity that underlines our commitment to growing together with all our stakeholders,” he added.
Ng’ang’a added that they have also expanded avocado and macadamia orchards to meet growing demand.
The firm, he disclosed, is on course of converting all its former pineapple-growing fields to avocado orchards by 2026.
“The government plans to provide 720 Metric Tonnes of certified sunflower seeds by the use of the e-voucher input subsidy services, 200 Metric Tonnes of assorted canola seeds, sunflower, soya and 10,000 coconut seedlings, and disburse KSh.42million to 840 farmers as loans in Kwale, Mombasa, Taita Taveta Tana River and Kilifi Counties under the National Edible Oil Crops Project,” Harsama added.
As part of a shareholder returns enhancement strategy, the Thika-based firm will venture into property development investment in the retail sector as it develops Kakuzi Farmers Market.
The retail enterprise, located opposite the firm’s headquarters on the Nairobi-Nyeri highway, will allow Kakuzi to sell its recently introduced range of value-added products and provide a decent place for up-country travelers to stop and refresh.
It is also in the final stages of a commercial appraisal process for a full-scale blueberry production venture at an estimated cost of Sh4 billion.
