Government Explores New Horticultural Markets Amid EU Challenges
Seeking Alternatives in Russia, Asia, Central, and South Africa as EU Regulations Pose Hurdles
The government is exploring new markets for Kenyan horticultural produce, considering non-traditional regions such as Russia, Asia, Central, and South Africa.
This shift is in response to challenges faced by the sector due to unreliable European Union (EU) export outlets, which imposed strict measures on quality and pest control.
The EU is currently the largest consumer of Kenyan horticultural exports, constituting approximately 45% of the country’s total exports.
Kello Harsama, the Agriculture Food Directorate (AFA) Director General, highlighted that stringent EU regulatory requirements, particularly related to Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and quarantine pests, have led to increased notifications and interceptions.
Due to the tropical climate in Kenya, pest control is crucial for ensuring the quality and infection-free nature of produce.
To overcome these challenges, the government plans to diversify its product range, focusing on vegetables, cabbages, carrots, onions, and passion fruits, targeting regional markets like Uganda, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania.
Harsama underscored the need for farmer training on proper pesticide use to explore untapped markets successfully.
Despite challenges faced by smallholder farmers, including low productivity and non-compliance with quality standards, bilateral agreements with the United Kingdom in January 2021 aim to enhance Kenyan horticultural exports.
Benjamin Tito, the Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) Director, reported that while industry volumes increased from January to June 2020 to 2021, the value dropped from Sh83.5 billion to Sh77.2 billion.
Factors contributing to this decline include low international market prices, interceptions, and disruptions caused by COVID-19 on air freight.
Quarantine pests, such as Thaumatotibia Leucotreta (False Codling Moth – FCM), have been a significant concern, leading to produce interceptions and non-compliance notifications by the EU market.
Tito proposed measures such as risk profiling at the farm level, training inspectors and exporters, and considering fumigation with phosphine gas and water heat treatment for mangoes.
The horticulture sub-sector, encompassing vegetables, flowers, and fruits, employs over 6.5 million Kenyans directly and indirectly, covering an estimated area of 496,062 hectares with a production of 7.9 million metric tonnes.
The domestic horticulture value was approximately Ksh. 68.5 billion in 2019, and the total value of fresh horticultural exports in 2020 reached Ksh. 150.2 billion.
Flowers accounted for 72%, while vegetables and fruits comprised 16% and 12% of the total, respectively.