Listed Kenyan agribusiness firm Kakuzi Plc has posted a strong financial recovery, recording a KSh387.5 million after-tax profit for the year ended 2025.
The results, released on 24 March, mark a sharp turnaround from the KSh131.6 million loss reported in 2024. The company’s board recommended a final dividend of KSh16 per share, up from the previous year’s payout.
Kakuzi reported total revenues of KSh5.4 billion, translating into a pre-tax profit of KSh568 million compared to a pre-tax loss of KSh167 million in 2024.
Managing Director Chris Flowers said the performance was supported by a deliberate shift toward product and market diversification.
He noted that the company had expanded its irrigation infrastructure, adding one million cubic metres of rainwater storage to reach a total capacity of 13 million cubic metres.
Flowers said the investment strengthens water security and supports sustainable agricultural practices critical to long-term growth.
The avocado segment recorded a 96% increase in profits to KSh709 million, up from KSh361 million in 2024. However, export operations were affected by logistical disruptions and market pressures.
Shipping instability along the Red Sea route continued to impact fruit quality and pricing despite its reopening. Production rose by 23%, but export volumes were constrained by pest and disease challenges.
European market prices also declined due to increased supply from Peru, South Africa and Colombia. During the year, Kakuzi exported 525 containers, up from 446 in 2024, at an average price of €7.13 per carton.
Flowers said the company is exploring alternative markets, including China and India, although these markets are yet to match Europe in scale.
Kakuzi’s macadamia segment posted a significant increase in profitability, closing the year at KSh365 million compared to KSh69 million in 2024. The growth was driven by recovering global demand and improved prices.
The blueberry segment also returned to profitability, posting a KSh5 million profit from a KSh19 million loss the previous year. Production volumes increased to 90 tonnes, up from 53 tonnes.
Flowers said the blueberry business, despite high establishment costs, remains a key part of the company’s diversification strategy.
Kakuzi reported steady growth in its domestic revenue stream, with sales exceeding KSh50 million. The company attributed the increase to value-added products sold through its farm-based retail operations.
Chairman Nicholas Ng’ang’a said improved governance and operational efficiency contributed to the turnaround, although geopolitical risks remain a concern for export markets.
