BY JACKTONE LAWI
The Horticultural Crops Directorate has unveiled plans to invest in a technology that will assess all fresh produce destined for the export market.
This new approach will replace the current sampling method, which has faced criticism over inefficiencies and irregularities in quality control.
Horticultural Crops Directorate acting director, Christine Chesaro, said this will ensure consistent quality and volumes for Kenyan fresh produce, particularly avocados, which are in high demand globally.
This comes at a time when destination markets have raised concerns about the export of immature avocadoes by local exporters.
“We want to ensure quality and consistency because that's what the market is looking for,” she said.
“As regulators, we are working closely with farmers, producers, and the private sector to meet international quality standards and boost export volumes.”
She said that efforts are underway to streamline the export process by harmonising procedures and reducing the number of steps required to clear consignments.
While the processes are rooted in law, Chesaro assured that the goal is to simplify them to improve efficiency without compromising legal requirements.
“And so that's our focus as a regulator and also working closely with farmers, with producers, with the private sector is how do we achieve the volumes and the consistency that is required and meeting the international quality requirements,” she noted.
Chesaro acknowledged that Kenya’s avocado quality is competitive, but there is room for improvement, which could enhance the country's global standing.
Kenya’s horticultural sector remains a vital part of the economy, contributing approximately Sh157 billion last year from the export of fruits, flowers, and vegetables.
Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya CEO Okisegere Ojepat said that with increased production, especially of avocados, the country aims to rank among the top three global exporters.
“We are here to discuss and find ways that we can lead the fresh produce market not only in terms of quantity but also quality. And see how this will be a turnaround in jobs creation,” he said “We are currently at a point that we are looking at half a million direct jobs but we are looking to triple that number in the next three years.”
Despite being a giant in horticulture in Africa, Kenya’s share of global fruit production is still low and was estimated at 4,242 tons or just about 0.5 per cent of the global market in 2023.
This was a bit higher compared to vegetables which recorded a contribution of 3,388 tons or 0.3 per cent of the global market.
To enhance market access for Kenya's fruits, flowers, and vegetables, Chesaro also highlighted ongoing efforts to work with missions abroad and private sector stakeholders. These collaborations aim to not only increase market share but also diversify the range of products exported to different regions.
In addressing logistical challenges, particularly the high cost of transporting produce from Mombasa to Europe, Shippers Council of East Africa CEO Agayo Ogambi said that discussions are ongoing to find solutions that will make the export of fresh produce more cost-effective.
He said that the tension along the Red Sea and the Middle East War has led to the usage of longer routes increasing final costs.
For instance, the sea freight through Cape Town has increased export costs by $200 dollars (Sh25,794) per twenty-foot container in the destination markets.
“Travel time has increased by an average of 10 days, this essentially means that some of the produce may not reach the final destination in good shape,” said Ogambi.