The UK has agreed to slash inspection tariff for horticultural products from Kenya from 10 per cent to five per cent.
Investments, Trade, and Industry CS Salim Mvurya said the move is expected to increase the competitiveness of Kenyan produce in the UK market.
“When you receive goods, you have to subject them to inspection which had been pegged at 10 per cent but it is now five per cent,” the CS said.
He explained that for every one kilogramme of produce, 100 grams had to be tested.
“We agreed to reduce it to from 10 per cent to five per cent because the more you test, the more it was costly for the person exporting the product,” he said.
Mvurya made the announcement after meeting British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan at his office in Nairobi.
With him were Principal Secretaries Alfred K’Ombudo (Trade), Juma Mukhwana (Industry) and Abubakar Hassan (Investment Promotion).
The reduction in inspection rates is a major win for Kenya's agricultural sector, which sends tonnes of vegetables to the UK daily.
Peas, beans, and other leguminous vegetables form the largest proportion of these exports
Wigan noted that Kenyan flowers are now exported to the United Kingdom tariff-free.
He said the move aims to increase trade and further strengthen the economic relationship between the UK and the region.
The duty suspension will remain in place for two years until June 30, 2026.
“The tariff applied to flowers exported from Kenya to Britain but through the EU. There was a 10 per tariff that applied to that. We have brought it down for two two-year period to zero per cent. We are discussing with the CS and team what the future will be after that period. We are already seeing it is making a difference for exporters,” Wigan stated.
