KENYA – In a bid to fortify Kenya’s fresh produce exports and promote sustainable practices, TradeMark Africa (TMA) sealed a pivotal agreement with the National Horticulture Taskforce (NHT) to strengthen and sustain investments in Kenya’s fresh produce exports.
The collaboration aims to bolster investments in the country’s mango, avocado, and vegetable value chains, leveraging technical and financial support to enhance the export market.
Under the auspices of the EU-funded Business Environment and Export Enhancing Program (BEEEP), the agreement marks a strategic step towards transitioning 50% of Kenya’s fresh produce exports from air to sea-freight by 2030.
The signing ceremony, held in Nairobi, convened stakeholders from the logistics sector to evaluate Kenya’s agro-logistics landscape.
The event focused on crafting Kenya’s Masterplan to shift fresh produce exports from air to sea freight, setting the stage for substantial industry transformation.
Ahmed Farah, Kenya Country Director at TMA, emphasized the significance of sustainable agricultural practices and environmental impact mitigation strategies.
“This partnership will enable producers to meet the global call for net-zero carbon emissions by integrating sustainable production methods,” stated Farah.
Clement Tulezi, Chairperson of the National Horticulture Taskforce, expressed gratitude for the support received from the European Union through TradeMark Africa.
“Through these engagements, we aim to boost trade in mangoes, avocados, and vegetables while streamlining transport efficiency and sustainability,” noted Tulezi.
Henriette Geiger, Ambassador of the European Union to Kenya, highlighted the EU’s commitment to steer the mango, avocado, and vegetable value chains toward sustainable production practices.
“Our collaboration aligns with the Generation Green Campaign, fostering economic development while prioritizing sustainability and inclusivity,” affirmed Geiger.
The move from airfreight to sea freight is not merely an environmental decision but also a strategic economic move for Kenya.
Transitioning to sea freight aligns with the UK and Europe’s efforts to curtail their climate footprint, as airfreighting generates significantly higher greenhouse gases compared to sea freight.
The EU’s earlier agreement of Euro 25 million (KSH 4.2 billion) with TMA for the Business Environment and Export Enhancement Programme solidifies support for Kenya’s export-oriented value chain ecosystem.
This initiative aims to address challenges within mango, avocado, and vegetable value chains, enhancing competitiveness and market access.
The partnership signifies a milestone in Kenya’s pursuit of sustainable growth in the fresh produce sector, aligning with global sustainability agendas while propelling economic development.
For all the latest fresh produce industry news updates from Africa, the Middle East, and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
