Kenya is in talks with five key horticulture markets to reduce tariffs on Kenyan goods.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui says Kenyan goods are subjected to higher tariffs after the country was elevated to a middle-income nation, making goods less price-competitive in key markets.
Horticulture exports decreased by Ksh20 billion in 2024 after Kenya shipped produce worth Ksh137 billion, a decline attributed to a stronger shilling and stiff competition.
Speaking on Monday during the opening of the COMESA-EU Horticulture Connect forum in Nairobi, the CS reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to continue implementing measures aimed at attracting foreign investors.
He highlighted profit repatriation as one of the key issues that has already been addressed, along with ensuring currency stability against the US dollar, maintaining a stable political environment, expanding renewable energy which is at 93pc, and equipping what he described as a dynamic youth population with relevant skills
“Kenya is trying to position itself as a dedicated hub for exports. As a leading player in the Horticulture space, Kenya is keen to both increase in value and quantity of its exports to the EU market. With geographical and weather advantages, we have all year round ability to produce for this market”, he said.
This is the first time Kenya is hosting the EU Horticulture meeting that brings together buyers and horticulture producers to engage with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs ) while also strengthening their capacity through firsthand knowledge of EU market requirements, certification processes, and quality standards, ensuring they remain competitive in international trade.
In Kenya alone, the sector contributes about 1.6% to national GDP and positions us as one of Africa’s leading exporters with over 70% of cut flowers exported to the European Union, alongside fruits and vegetables that reach markets worldwide.
“This experience demonstrates the potential for other COMESA Member States when we build strong value chains and align to international standards”, the CS said.
He further challenged the participants to take advantage of the forum to forge connections and unlock opportunities between COMESA enterprises and their European counterparts
“Let this COMESA–EU Horticulture Connect mark the beginning of deeper collaboration where our SMEs, especially women- and youth-led enterprises, are fully integrated into competitive, resilient, and sustainable horticultural value chains” he stated.
In particular, he asked the private sector to invest more to access the lucrative European market, even as he pushed member states to focus on growing intra-regional trade.
“But success requires greater investment, stronger partnerships, and bold innovation. It is the private sector that must drive transformation by scaling up production, embracing standards, and building cross-border linkages that make COMESA horticulture globally competitive”, he said.
While scaling up production is important, the Cabinet Secretary emphasised that developing logistical capacity is crucial to maintain export standards for the highly perishable horticultural produce.
“We must build not only our production capacity at the farm level, but also strengthen our logistical systems to effectively export horticultural products. COMESA has a population of 682 million, an internal market large enough to absorb much of the surplus we produce within the region”
The event comes at a time when the region is intensifying efforts to integrate horticulture into regional and global value chains.
“The challenges before us remain real, ranging from climate change and post-harvest losses to non-tariff barriers and the need for harmonised standards. But these challenges also represent opportunities for innovation, green growth, and inclusive partnerships. Let’s work together to close the gaps,” Kinyanjui said.
“I hope we will come up with concrete solutions to some of the challenges bedevilling the region. We hope to strengthen horticulture value chains. The sector is of immense importance to our economies,” he said.
The theme for this year’s Summit is Leveraging Digitization to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.
The culmination of the four-day summit being held at KICC will be the Heads of State and Government Meeting, scheduled for October 9.
Additional reporting by Benson Rioba
