Crystal Frozen & Chilled Foods invests USD 5M in potato processing facility at Naivasha SEZ

KENYA – Crystal Frozen & Chilled Foods SEZ Ltd has started building a cutting-edge food processing facility at the Naivasha Special Economic Zone (SEZ), with a KES 645 million (USD 5.01 million) investment, focusing on local produce, particularly potatoes.

The project is expected to generate over 359 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs, significantly boosting the local economy and supporting farmers in Nakuru County.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Salim Mvurya, emphasized the factory’s role in adding value to local produce, particularly potatoes, vegetables, and French beans, while reducing food loss.

“This facility will process 100 percent locally sourced potatoes and vegetables, with a capacity to handle 13.8 tonnes per year, extending the shelf life of these products to up to 24 months,” Mvurya stated.

The Naivasha SEZ is becoming a hub for investment, with 19 investors already applying to operate within the zone, and 11 approved to begin construction within six months of receiving approval. The SEZ is expected to create 100,000 jobs, primarily benefiting unemployed youth.

The Crystal Frozen & Chilled Foods facility is the third investor to launch in the Naivasha SEZ, following Jumbo Africa Auto Auction and an Electric Vehicles assembly plant.

Nakuru Deputy Governor, Hon. David Kones, highlighted the project’s potential to transform the lives of residents. “The Naivasha SEZ will not only impact Nakuru County but will have a nationwide reach, promoting and marketing the potential of the region,” Kones said.

Kones also directed the formation of a Liaison Committee to ensure the local community benefits from the job opportunities created by the factory.

He expressed optimism that the factory would stabilize producer prices for potatoes, especially during glut seasons when prices drop significantly.

Mungai Kihutu from Crystal Frozen & Chilled Foods Ltd noted that the facility would address post-harvest losses that farmers face when there is a surplus harvest.

“Farmers in the county and beyond have the potential to produce quality produce that can satisfy the export market, which is yet to be fully capitalized on,” Kihutu remarked.

Nakuru County is a leading producer of potatoes in Kenya, with approximately 75,000 farmers across nine sub-counties producing over 20,007 tonnes annually.

The establishment of the Crystal Frozen & Chilled Foods factory is seen as a timely intervention to support these farmers by providing a ready market for their produce.

The Naivasha SEZ is quickly emerging as a key driver of economic growth in Nakuru County, attracting local and international investors.

The government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for investment, as highlighted by CS Mvurya, is evident in the series of reforms implemented to improve the ease of doing business in Kenya.

These reforms have positioned the country as a preferred destination for investment, reflected in its improving ranking in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index.