NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya’s horticultural export sector is facing significant headwinds as stricter European Union regulations, coupled with global conflicts, make exporting more challenging than ever.
Stakeholders are being urged to comply with the new European market standards or risk losing access to the lucrative export market.
These standards, designed to address environmental safety concerns in the face of climate change, have already caused some shipments to be intercepted and returned due to quality issues, such as False Codling Moth infestations.
Speaking at the Naivasha Horticulture Trade Fair, Naivasha Horticultural Fair Chairman Richard McGonnell emphasized the importance of adhering to the European Union’s newly enforced quality standards.
“The EU has introduced these regulations to ensure environmental safety,” McGonnell explained, adding that local growers have begun adjusting their practices, particularly in areas like chemical use and quality control. However, this shift hasn’t been without its challenges.
Recently, several shipments destined for the European market were turned away due to non-compliance, highlighting the high stakes of maintaining these standards.
Kenyan exporters, already grappling with higher production costs, now face the added pressure of stringent market requirements.
McGonnell pointed out that despite these hurdles, Kenyan horticultural producers are committed to doubling sea freight shipments to the EU.
However, he expressed frustration over the lack of cargo options provided by the national carrier, Kenya Airways, which could have offered a more affordable and reliable shipping alternative amid global crises.
The ongoing global conflicts, particularly the wars in Israel and Ukraine, have further complicated the situation.
“Transport by sea has become increasingly difficult,” McGonnell noted, referencing increased rebel attacks along key shipping routes, such as the Red Sea.
These attacks have forced exporters to find alternative routes, driving up freight costs and extending shipping times. Freight charges have skyrocketed by over 50pc since the onset of these conflicts, according to McGonnell, while shipping times have nearly tripled.
Although global oil prices have dropped recently, Kenyan horticultural producers have yet to feel the relief. The cost of oil has fallen from $98 per barrel to $74 per barrel, but production costs remain stubbornly high, keeping pressure on the sector.
Despite these challenges, the Kenyan government has stepped in to provide some relief through its subsidized fertilizer program.
The program, which aims to distribute seven million bags of fertilizer across the country for the 2024 farming seasons, has already increased food production by about 40pc.
McGonnell praised this initiative but called for additional support, particularly for smallholder farmers who need soil testing services to maximize productivity.
“Farmers have used Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer for too long, which has degraded the soil,” McGonnell warned, urging the government to establish more soil testing centers across the country.
As Kenya’s horticultural industry continues to navigate these complex challenges, stakeholders remain committed to maintaining their position in the global market.
