Kenyan horticulture production continues to rise, especially cut-flowers

The value of horticulture production rose in Kenya by 41% over the past year from 2017-2018. The marked increase in exports was attributed to compliance with the export market requirements by the majority of exporters, especially to the European Union.

Market data from the Horticulture Department indicates overall sales rose. The total value of horticultural produce exported in 2017 increased from Sh101.5 billion in 2016 to Sh115 billion last year.

“The value of domestic horticulture production has been growing over the years as it is evidenced by the figures,” says Okesegere Ojepat, chief executive officer of Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) of Kenya.

The cut-flower export market still remains the largest earner, contributing over 70% of the total fresh produce annual earnings. Flower exports represented an 11.6% growth, on export volume of 159,961 tonnes.

Fruits and vegetables were the second largest earner.

Mr Ojepat was speaking at the official launch of FPC Kenya, which rebranded from Kenya Association of Fruits and Vegetable Exporters. “The rebranding now broadens our mandate to cover more areas particularly the domestic market, which has never been well coordinated, and offers us the capacity to engage with more stakeholders, extend our membership and grow the sector,” he said.

MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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