Scaling processing and export of macadamia oil and nuts (Exotic) from smallholder farmers

Exotic EPZ Limited (‘Exotic’) is a female-owned agribusiness from Kenya, processing and exporting macadamia nuts and oils to the European market. The company sources unprocessed macadamia nuts-in-shell directly from over 1,300 smallholder farmers. The nuts are aggregated in over 10 collection points distributed in over 10 counties in Kenya. In the factory in Nairobi, the nuts are dried, processed, and then exported. The company’s main customer is Red Rivers Foods, a leading U.S. supplier of premium and ethical nuts and specialty snacks. Kenya is currently the third-biggest producer of macadamia nuts, after South Africa and Australia. The growing global demand for nuts stems from their versatility, as they can be used in various food products such as cakes and sweets. It can also be converted into oil to be used in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products. 

Exotic was acquired by the current 3 female owners in mid-2017 and is the sole women-owned processor and exporter of macadamia nuts in Kenya, in a sector that is traditionally male-dominated. The company’s mission is to source, produce, and supply the finest quality products in the nuts and oils value chains whilst empowering small-scale producers, particularly rural women farmers. The CFC approved a total of USD 1,100,000 loan financing to Exotic. In February 2022, a USD 600,000 trade finance loan agreement with Exotic was signed for the purpose of pre-financing macadamia nuts with certain buyers, including Red Rivers Foods. The remaining USD 500,000 loan financing from the CFC is not yet signed, and its purpose is to increase production capacity at the Exotic processing facility in Nairobi.

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