Kakuzi Posts Ksh 295M Half-Year Profit

Nairobi-based agribusiness giant Kakuzi Plc has reported a net profit of Ksh 295.5 million in the first half of 2025, a strong performance despite tough market conditions and operational hurdles.

Revenue for the period rose to Ksh 1.51 billion, up from Ksh 1.17 billion during the same period last year, driven by steady production across its key crops.

Kakuzi’s Managing Director, Chris Flowers, said the firm has been navigating a tricky international market with careful planning and smart strategies. He noted that trading in the company’s core crops, avocados and macadamias, has been solid.

“The year-to-date trading in our two core crops is in line with expectations. The international avocado market has been well supplied, with price levels reflecting this situation,” he said, adding that earlier shipping disruptions are now easing.

Avocados, Kakuzi’s flagship crop, saw a dip in profits this year, bringing in Ksh 395 million compared to Ksh 951 million in 2024.

The drop, Flowers explained, is linked to global market dynamics.

“Last year, the markets were undersupplied, which pushed prices higher. This year’s supply is plentiful, so prices are lower,” he said.

By June, the company had exported 165 containers of over 800,000 cartons, mostly to Europe, competing alongside fruit from Peru, South Africa, and Colombia.

Not all of Kakuzi’s crops faced challenges. The macadamia division recorded a remarkable turnaround, posting Ksh 319 million in profit, up from just Ksh 32 million last year.

Even blueberries, a newer venture, became profitable, earning Ksh 13 million compared to a Ksh 17 million loss in the previous year.

Beyond numbers, Kakuzi is striving to operate responsibly while contributing to the local economy.

Flowers highlighted the company’s “Growing Together” philosophy, which emphasises meaningful engagement with communities and stakeholders.

However, the firm is not without its challenges. Recent land invasion cases have caused environmental damage and heightened tensions in Murang’a County.

“We are pursuing legal remedies to secure shareholder rights and protect our assets,” Flowers said.

The company’s half-year results suggest that with smart strategy and careful planning, agribusiness in Kenya can still thrive, even when the odds are stacked against it.