This archive report was first published on 8 July 2020.
Kenya's horticulture sector has defied the COVID-19 pandemic, recording a significant increase in earnings in the first five months of the year.
According to data from the Directorate of Horticulture, the sector earned Sh72 billion between January and May this year, a 11% rise from the same period in 2019.
The growth was driven by high demand for vegetables and fruits, particularly avocados, which fetched high prices in the global market.
Benjamin Tito, head of the Directorate of Horticulture, attributed the increase in earnings to enhanced demand and good prices for Kenya's produce in the world market.
Despite a decline in volumes, which dropped by 12% compared to the previous season, the sector's earnings continued to rise.
Industry data shows that the volumes dropped from 156 million kilogrammes in the corresponding period in 2019 to 136 million kilogrammes in the review period.
However, the sector is expected to grow further in the coming months as most countries in Europe have started opening their economies.
