The Kenya Nut Company is one of the renowned agribusiness firms in the country, dealing with the production, processing, and sale of agricultural products with a primary focus on macadamia and cashew nuts.
The company processes and sells macadamia nuts to various international markets in Europe and North America.
Kenya Nut was established in 1974 in the Kenya highlands by one Pius Ngugi, a renowned Kenyan entrepreneur and coffee farmer.
The company was established at a time when coffee prices were low in the international market, prompting the government to encourage farmers to invest in macadamia nuts.
Being the most expensive nuts, Ngugi took up the challenge in 1972 and set up a macadamia plantation. While he anticipated to make a tidy sum from the venture, this did not happen due to a lack of market.
The businessman would later approach the government for support to save his investment, an idea that was welcomed. In 1974, the government in partnership with Japanese investors helped him set up a small processing company.
The company grew tremendously focusing on the production of quality macadamia and Cashew Nuts.
In the early 2000s, Kenya Nut entered a phase of diversification with the construction of two processing plants.
The company has over the years diversified its operations to include coffee, chocolates, and natural oils. Some of its popular brands include Leleshwa Wines, Out of Africa, and Nutfields.
With over 1,264 employees, the company operates seven farms on over 8,000 acres, with a complete production system from seedlings to ready-for-sale products and an international market.
Kenya Nut also secures supplies from over 30,000 small nut producers in the country, some of whom it supports with the best agricultural practices.
One of the company’s production highlights was in 2018, when it processed 25 percent of the national harvest and put on the market 2.5 percent of the world’s production of shelled macadamia nuts.
Kenya Nut Founder
Kenya Nut was founded by Pius Ngugi, one of Kenya’s agribusiness tycoons. Born on March 8, 1944, in Kiambu County, Ngugi is known for his multi-million investments that span the agriculture, insurance, and real estate sectors.
Beyond Kenya Nut, he is also associated with Thika Coffee Mills, a major processor and exporter of specialty coffee.
He has also invested in the insurance sector through shares in Kenya Alliance Insurance and is a shareholder in Tatu City, a multi-billion-shilling real estate development.
His other ventures include sweet manufacturing, dairy farming, and automobile trading through Amazon Motors.
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