NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan miraa (khat) exporters have scored a major win after Djibouti officially opened its market to the stimulant crop, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has confirmed.
In a statement on Wednesday, AFA announced that Djibouti had cleared Kenyan miraa for export, subject to regulatory compliance, marking a significant milestone in efforts to diversify the country’s miraa export destinations.
“This new development marks a major milestone in diversifying Kenya’s miraa export markets,” the authority said.
The breakthrough follows sustained trade engagements between the two nations, including a Kenyan trade mission to Djibouti in October 2024 and a reciprocal visit by a Djiboutian delegation in November.
AFA has urged miraa traders to move swiftly and engage potential buyers in Djibouti, noting that the new market could open up fresh economic opportunities for thousands of Kenyan farmers and traders.
However, exporters must comply with specific import regulations, including securing relevant permits and adhering to both Kenyan and Djiboutian product standards to ensure smooth trade.
“This opportunity comes with responsibility,” AFA noted. “All traders must meet the requirements set by both governments and their regulatory institutions.”
Miraa Prices Revised Upwards
The announcement comes just months after the Ministry of Agriculture revised miraa prices, nearly doubling the cost of the crop across all varieties.
As of February 2025, a kilogramme of Grade 1 miraa is retailing at KSh1,300, up from KSh700, while Grade 2 now goes for KSh700, up from KSh350. The Alele variety doubled from KSh500 to KSh1,000 per kilo.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the changes followed recommendations by the Miraa Pricing Formula Committee, which was established under the Crops (Miraa) Regulations, 2023.
“The committee considered submissions from farmers and traders and reviewed production data, cost, supply, and demand to advise the ministry on the new prices,” Kagwe said in a previous statement.
Miraa’s Expanding Footprint
Miraa, botanically known as Catha edulis, is widely consumed in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
The Kenyan varieties—particularly Muguka—are primarily grown in Meru’s Nyambene Hills, Tharaka Nithi, and Embu, but cultivation has spread to several other counties including Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Laikipia, and West Pokot.
The crop is a critical source of income in these regions. According to government estimates, over four million Kenyans are directly or indirectly dependent on the miraa sub-sector, while approximately 10 million people globally consume the product daily.
The Ministry of Agriculture has reiterated its commitment to promoting sustainable and structured miraa trade, positioning the crop as a key economic driver for rural communities.
