Horticulture exports up 6.4% thanks to demand for Kenyan products
Market news
Horticulture exports up 6.4% thanks to demand for Kenyan products
Tuesday 07 December 2021
The demand for Kenyan horticultural products has increased, leading to growth in exports. PHOTO | CYRIL NDEGEYA | NMG
Summary
- Horticulture directorate Benjamin Tito said Kenya gained 145.4 billion shillings between January and November, up from 136.7 billion shillings last year.
- The volume of flower exports increased from 287.8 million kilograms in 2020 to 373.78 million kilograms in 2021, an increase of 3.3% while the value rose from Sh99 billion previously to Sh101 during the period considered.
- The main contributors to fruit exports were avocados, pineapples and mangoes, sold mainly to the Netherlands, France, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Horticultural income rose 6.4 percent to 8.7 billion shillings in the 11 months to November compared to the corresponding period last year, due to higher demand for Kenyan products on the world market.
Horticulture directorate Benjamin Tito said Kenya gained 145.4 billion shillings between January and November, up from 136.7 billion shillings last year.
He said higher demand for Kenyan fruits, vegetables and flowers drove volumes up by 30% during the period, which helped to boost incomes despite average export prices lower than seen in 2020.
“The total value of horticultural products exported in 2021 from January to November increased from 136.7 billion shillings in 2020 to 145.4 billion shillings in 2021, an increase of six percent. The total export volume increased by 85 million kilograms, which is a 30% increase attributed to increased demand, especially for flowers and vegetables, ”Mr. Tito said.
The volume of flower exports increased from 287.8 million kilograms in 2020 to 373.78 million kilograms in 2021, an increase of 3.3% while the value rose from Sh99 billion previously to Sh101 during the period considered.
Vegetable volumes reached 65.13 million kilograms, up from 34.38 million kilograms in 2020. The value also increased from 13.9 billion shillings in 2020 to 23.78 billion shillings during the period.
The fruit volume increased by 11 percent, from 99.5 million kilograms in 2020 to 110.5 million kilograms in 2021. However, the value fell slightly from 17.75 billion shillings to 17.57 billion shillings. of shillings.
The main contributors to fruit exports were avocados, pineapples and mangoes, sold mainly to the Netherlands, France, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
The European Union still accounts for the largest share of Kenya’s horticultural exports, absorbing 45 percent of exports comprising mainly cut flowers, green beans, snow peas and Asian vegetables.
The Agriculture and Food Authority said Kenya needs to diversify its market, as reliance on the European market could have negative effects even in the country in a volatile market.
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