NAIROBI, Kenya – The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has announced a mandatory registration directive for all marketing agents dealing with mango fruits in Kenya, effective October 28, 2024.
This move aims to enhance the country’s mango exports to international markets, including the Middle East, Europe, and the UK, by ensuring transparent and accountable trade practices.
In a statement, AFA emphasized the importance of the registration process in addressing complaints from mango farmers who have faced payment delays and non-compliance from certain marketing agents.
“Following numerous complaints from farmers regarding unpaid produce, we are instituting mandatory registration to regulate the trade of mango exports,” said AFA Director, Mr. Linyiru.
The directive, implemented in collaboration with the Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD), requires all mango farmers, exporters, and processors to transact only with registered marketing agents.
The registration will be facilitated online through the AFA-IMIS platform, with physical registration sites set up at key AFA offices in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kibwezi, and other major mango-producing regions such as Machakos, Kitui, and Elgeyo Marakwet.
The move comes as the country prepares for its peak mango export season, with AFA determined to boost market confidence and prevent exporters from mixing mango consignments with other fruits like avocado, a practice that has caused logistical challenges due to the overlapping harvest season.
In addition to registration, AFA has instructed mango exporters to seek physical inspection of consignments through the HCD by submitting applications to a designated email address.
This step is intended to ensure compliance with export standards and improve the efficiency of the inspection process.
With Kenya’s mango industry being a key driver of agricultural exports, the authority’s new measures are expected to foster greater accountability and boost the reputation of Kenyan mangoes in the global market.
Farmers and traders alike are urged to comply with the new regulations to avoid penalties and ensure a seamless export season.
This move aims to enhance the country’s mango exports to international markets, including the Middle East, Europe, and the UK, by ensuring transparent and accountable trade practices.
In a statement, AFA emphasized the importance of the registration process in addressing complaints from mango farmers who have faced payment delays and non-compliance from certain marketing agents.
“Following numerous complaints from farmers regarding unpaid produce, we are instituting mandatory registration to regulate the trade of mango exports,” said AFA Director, Mr. Linyiru.
The directive, implemented in collaboration with the Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD), requires all mango farmers, exporters, and processors to transact only with registered marketing agents.
The registration will be facilitated online through the AFA-IMIS platform, with physical registration sites set up at key AFA offices in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kibwezi, and other major mango-producing regions such as Machakos, Kitui, and Elgeyo Marakwet.
The move comes as the country prepares for its peak mango export season, with AFA determined to boost market confidence and prevent exporters from mixing mango consignments with other fruits like avocado, a practice that has caused logistical challenges due to the overlapping harvest season.
In addition to registration, AFA has instructed mango exporters to seek physical inspection of consignments through the HCD by submitting applications to a designated email address.
This step is intended to ensure compliance with export standards and improve the efficiency of the inspection process.
With Kenya’s mango industry being a key driver of agricultural exports, the authority’s new measures are expected to foster greater accountability and boost the reputation of Kenyan mangoes in the global market.
Farmers and traders alike are urged to comply with the new regulations to avoid penalties and ensure a seamless export season.
