The Kenyan government is exploring new markets for its horti produce in non-traditional regions such as Russia, Asia, Central and South Africa. This follows emerging challenges the subsector was grappling with after EU export outlets turned unreliable, since member states issued strict measures to tame low quality and pest infested food.
The EU is the largest consumer of Kenyan horticultural exports, accounting for about 45 percent of the country’s exports. Agriculture Food Directorate (AFA) Director General Kello Harsama said that the EU market have imposed stringent regulatory requirements that has resulted to increased notifications due to Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and interceptions due to quarantine pests.
He announced the shift in focus at a media briefing in Nairobi on the performance of the horticulture industry and the regulatory changes that have been initiated in the sub sector.
Source: kenyanews.go.ke