Kakuzi PLC is a listed Kenyan agricultural company trading on both the Nairobi and London Stock Exchange engaging in the cultivation, processing, and marketing of avocados, blueberries, macadamia, tea, livestock, and commercial forestry.
Kakuzi operates in two separate locations in Kenya; the main operation and head office are based in Makuyu, Murang’a County, and the tea estates are situated in Nandi Hills, Nandi County.
In August 2024, Kakuzi Plc announced a Ksh507 million half-year pretax profit on the back of a general market recovery for its Macadamia Nuts and Avocado superfoods exports business.
The firm’s total turnover grew by 35% to Ksh1.175 billion, up from Ksh873 million posted in the same half-year period the previous year.
Buoyed by lower market supply from traditional high-volume Avocado suppliers in the international market from South American countries such as Peru and Mexico, Kakuzi’s avocado fortunes enjoyed a 42% growth to close the half-year trading period at Ksh951 million, up from Ksh670 million posted within the same period, the previous year.
Kakuzi’s macadamia earnings have now returned to a profit zone, with a Kshs 32 million profit, up from a Ksh329 million loss posted within the same period the previous year. Demand for the firm’s sustainable wood products continues to soar in the half-year trading period, with divisional profits, growing 54% to Ksh71 million, up from Ksh46 million posted in the same period the previous year.
Kakuzi entered the Indian avocado export market in March 2024. The firm, which has enjoyed traditional market access opportunities in Europe, China, and the Middle East, is pursuing strategic market diversification strategies, with new opportunities for avocado sales in India and Malaysia that are high on the business development priority list.
Due to the ever-growing demand for quality superfoods globally, the company expanded its avocado orchards by 60 hectares in 2023, up from 927 hectares at a Ksh120 million investment cost.
Kakuzi made history in 2022 by landing an inaugural shipment of fresh fruits in the Chinese market.
Products
From careful seedling selection to packing, Kakuzi Plc takes pride in producing the best quality products while prioritizing sustainability.
- Avocado
Kakuzi Plc locations provide a temperate climate which is perfectly suited to the production of avocado. From seedling to fork, the company has full control over the entire value chain ensuring complete traceability and a high-quality product.
Planting started in 1996, and since then our production has increased year on year. Currently, Kakuzi has over 997 hectares of land under avocado.
In 2013, the company launched the Avocado Farmers’ Day initiative, which aggregates avocados from smallholder farmers for export. The initiative pays a bonus of over Ksh32 million per year in bonuses to the farmers.
All avocado production is Halal, SMETA, GLOBAL GAP, GRASP, SPRING and Rainforest Alliance certified, while the Avocado Packhouse is FSSC 22000 certified.
2. Macadamia Nut
Kakuzi’s macadamia production is packed and sold under the Maclands brand.
Maclands is the largest brand of macadamia in Africa, with three countries of origin, Maclands offers economies of scale, flexibility and supply consistency.
Kakuzi Plc only processes nuts grown in their own orchards, this allows for full traceability of their products. Currently, the company has over 1,356 hectares of land under macadamia.
Macadamia is a core strategic crop for Kakuzi Plc. Total volumes are planned to rise by 139% by the year 2025 according to board chairman, Nicholas Nganga.
The macadamia production is Halal, FSSC 22000, Kosher, SMETA and KEBS Standardization Mark certified.
3. Commercial Forestry
Planting started in 1992 and gained momentum in 1995. Today, Kakuzi Plc has 1500 Ha of Commercial Forest.
Management of the plantation forests enables Kakuzi to maintain a sustainable supply of posts, poles, fuel wood and other timber products which are then sold. The plantation forests are also monitored against a forestry management plan to ensure replanting of felled areas is done.
Timber is milled, pallets manufactured, “eco-friendly” charcoal produced and firewood sold. Treated poles of many sizes are available for sale.
Kakuzi’s forestry production has the KEBS Diamond Mark of Quality.
4. Livestock & Butchery
As of January 2025, Kakuzi recorded a herd of 4,065 cattle, all ranched within their land in Makuyu.
The mature bulls are registered with the Kenya Stud Book and Kakuzi is an active member of The Boran Society of Kenya. The livestock production is Halal certified.
Kakuzi runs two small ranch dairies supplying their staff with milk, with any excess sold locally. The slaughterhouse provides cold-dressed carcasses to the Kakuzi Butchery and for sale to local markets including Nairobi.
5. Blueberry
Growing in pots under tunnels allows blueberries to be established on any type of land. A 10Ha initial site was established by Kakuzi with plans to expand this in the future.
The blueberry production is GlobalG.A.P, GRASP, SPRING and SMETA certified.
6. Tea
Kakuzi’s tea estate is situated in Nandi Hills, located 330 Km northwest of Nairobi, Kenya, on the equator west of the Great Rift Valley. Located 1000-2000 meters above sea level, Nandi Hills has an equitable climate which allows tea to be picked all year round.
Kaboswa Tea Estate – Green Leaf from Kaboswa is processed at one of Kakuzi’s managing agents factories and made tea is transported by road to Mombasa from where there are good shipping connections to world-wide destinations.
Being a publicly traded company, the Kakuzi Plc board of management meets quarterly and is responsible for establishing the corporate governance pillars, setting the strategic direction, reviewing business performance, and supervising the management of Kakuzi operations.
Christopher Flowers-Managing Director of Kakuzi Plc
Chris was appointed Managing Director for Kakuzi Plc in 2013.
He holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in agriculture and engineering. His career has spanned the last 25 years in agricultural companies in Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, and Kenya.
Working initially with CDC in Tanzania, Malawi, and Uganda, he then joined Finlay’s before taking up a post in the tea trade in Mombasa.
Chris returned to Tanzania in 2002, working for Mufindi Tea and Coffee Company. Chris has sat on a number of tea trade and tea research bodies and is also a published writer on tea technical and agronomic matters.
Ketan Shah-Finance Director of Kakuzi Plc
Ketan was appointed Finance Director of Kakuzi Plc on 28th August 2007.
He is a qualified Accountant being a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya and a fellow member of The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, UK.
He did his accounting training and qualified with a professional accounting firm in Nairobi before joining Coopers & Lybrand, where he worked for 4 years.
Nicholas Nganga-Chairman of Kakuzi Plc Board
He is a holder of a BA degree from Makerere University and served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Health. Mr. Nganga has been extensively involved in the tea industry and was Chairman of the Tea Board of Kenya.
He is a past Chairman of the National Bank of Kenya and Safaricom Plc. Currently, he is the Chairman of G4S Security and Car & General Kenya Ltd.
