NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan agricultural exports are set to make a major entry into the United States retail market following successful trade talks between the U.S. Africa Trade Desk (USATD) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
The development comes after a high-level U.S. delegation led by USATD CEO Gavin van der Burgh met Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe in Nairobi for a series of engagements with key government agencies and private-sector players in the floriculture, coffee, macadamia, apparel, and grains industries.
The talks have paved the way for Kenyan products—including fresh-cut flowers, coffee, and macadamia nuts—to enter major U.S. retail chains such as Walmart, in what is being described as a breakthrough for local farmers and exporters.
“We are going as private-sector as possible, supporting our producers to meet global demands through better pest control, post-harvest handling, and value addition,” said CS Kagwe. “Kenya is ready—and we want this partnership to transform livelihoods for our farmers.”
Kagwe noted that the ministry is working to enhance traceability and compliance systems to meet stringent U.S. market standards under President William Ruto’s BETA agricultural transformation agenda.
Nouvelle Blooms Secures Multi-Million Rose Deal
Among the biggest beneficiaries of the new trade pathway is Nouvelle Blooms Ltd, a Kenyan export firm headquartered at JKIA, which has secured agreements to supply over four million stems of premium roses per month to the U.S. market.
The firm will also export specialty Kenyan coffee directly to American buyers, strengthening the country’s footprint in the high-value horticulture and beverage sectors.
During their visit, U.S. officials toured flower farms in Naivasha, the Nairobi Coffee Exchange, coffee quality labs, cargo warehouses at JKIA, and the Horticultural Crops Directorate to assess Kenya’s export readiness.
Macadamia, Coffee, and Tea in First Export Wave
USATD confirmed that Kenya’s macadamia processors, led by the Macnut Consortium, demonstrated the capacity to meet American demand.
Macadamia, coffee, and fresh flowers will form part of the first export wave, with tea expected to follow in the second phase.
The mission also established frameworks to import cotton for apparel manufacturing and raw materials for livestock feed production, boosting Kenya’s local manufacturing capacity and food security.
“This partnership is a critical turning point in unlocking Kenya’s agricultural export potential,” the delegation noted, emphasizing the mutual benefits of enhanced U.S.–Kenya trade relations.
The move marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s efforts to position itself as a global agri-export powerhouse, with farmers expected to benefit from improved prices, reduced production costs, and access to stable international markets.
