NAIROBI, Kenya – The United Kingdom has agreed to cut inspection tariffs on horticultural products from Kenya, slashing the rate from 10 percent to 5 percent.
The decision, announced by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Salim Mvurya, is expected to significantly enhance the competitiveness of Kenyan produce in the UK market.
“When you receive goods, you have to subject them to inspection, which was previously pegged at 10 percent, but it is now five percent,” Mvurya explained.
He highlighted that this reduction would ease the burden on exporters, who had been required to test 100 grams of every kilogram of produce, driving up costs.
The announcement followed a meeting between Mvurya and British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, in Nairobi, accompanied by Principal Secretaries Alfred K’Ombudo (Trade), Juma Mukhwana (Industry), and Abubakar Hassan (Investment Promotion).
The tariff reduction marks a significant win for Kenya’s agricultural sector, which exports substantial volumes of vegetables to the UK daily.
Peas, beans, and other leguminous vegetables form the bulk of these exports, and the lower inspection rate is expected to make these products more competitive on the international market.
In addition to the reduced inspection tariffs, Wigan revealed that Kenyan flowers are now exported to the UK completely tariff-free, a measure that will remain in place until June 30, 2026.
This move is intended to bolster trade relations and strengthen the economic partnership between the UK and Kenya.
“The tariff previously applied to flowers exported from Kenya to Britain through the EU, where a 10 percent duty was imposed. We’ve now reduced it to zero for a two-year period. We’re discussing with the CS and his team what the future will look like after this period. We’re already seeing a positive impact for exporters,” Wigan said.
The decision, announced by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Salim Mvurya, is expected to significantly enhance the competitiveness of Kenyan produce in the UK market.
“When you receive goods, you have to subject them to inspection, which was previously pegged at 10 percent, but it is now five percent,” Mvurya explained.
He highlighted that this reduction would ease the burden on exporters, who had been required to test 100 grams of every kilogram of produce, driving up costs.
The announcement followed a meeting between Mvurya and British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, in Nairobi, accompanied by Principal Secretaries Alfred K’Ombudo (Trade), Juma Mukhwana (Industry), and Abubakar Hassan (Investment Promotion).
The tariff reduction marks a significant win for Kenya’s agricultural sector, which exports substantial volumes of vegetables to the UK daily.
Peas, beans, and other leguminous vegetables form the bulk of these exports, and the lower inspection rate is expected to make these products more competitive on the international market.
In addition to the reduced inspection tariffs, Wigan revealed that Kenyan flowers are now exported to the UK completely tariff-free, a measure that will remain in place until June 30, 2026.
This move is intended to bolster trade relations and strengthen the economic partnership between the UK and Kenya.
“The tariff previously applied to flowers exported from Kenya to Britain through the EU, where a 10 percent duty was imposed. We’ve now reduced it to zero for a two-year period. We’re discussing with the CS and his team what the future will look like after this period. We’re already seeing a positive impact for exporters,” Wigan said.
