Horticulture exports rise by 14.3pc in first quarter

Kenya’s earnings from horticulture exports rose 14.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2024, driven by increased shipments to markets in Europe and Asia.

Central Bank of Kenya latest data states that the country earned Sh45.1 billion (about $351 million) during the quarter, up from $307 million during the same period in 2023.

During this period, Kenya exported 208,146 tonnes of produce, a significant rise from 171,384 tonnes in the first quarter of 2023.

Kenya’s primary horticulture exports include vegetables, fruits, and cut flowers, with vegetables comprising the bulk of the shipments in volume.

However, flowers, mainly sold in Europe, generate most of the earnings. The rise in horticulture exports continues the trend from 2023, when earnings from the sector reached 1.21 billion dollars, up from 1.14 billion dollars in 2022.

Europe is the largest market for Kenya’s fresh farm produce, according to conservative estimates, buying nearly three-quarters of the country’s horticultural exports. The Netherlands and the United Kingdom being the largest markets for horticultural produce, while China, India, and Kazakhstan are key destinations in Asia.

New markets

Last year, horticulture export earnings increased by 6.5 per cent, driven by increased volumes with Horticulture Crops Directorate (HCD) reports showing earnings surged to Sh156.69 billion last year, marking a growth from Sh147.1 billion posted in 2022.

Currently, Kenya is seeking new markets for its produce, especially in Africa. In May, it was among five countries selected to implement the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East African Community (EAC) Horticultural Accelerator initiative, alongside Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Mohamed Kadah, programmes assistant secretary-general at the COMESA secretariat, stated that the initiative would accelerate the growth of the fruit and vegetable sectors in the participating countries.

Kenya aims to boost its exports by at least 10 percent annually from the Sh1 trillion (7.7 billion dollars) recorded in 2023.

According to Jaswinder Bedi, chairperson of the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency, a strategic plan serving as a roadmap can propel Kenya to become an export-led economy and a top global brand.

“To achieve the set export growth target, the strategic plan recognizes the importance of exploring new export opportunities across a number of other markets,” Bedi said.

The blueprint outlines procedures to expand Kenya’s exports to Africa, already the country’s largest market, by advocating for the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).