This archive report was first published on 6 July 2019.
On July 6, 2019, Peter Biwott, the CEO of the Export Promotion Council, spoke to Anita Chepkoech about the challenges facing Kenyan farmers in exporting their produce internationally.
Biwott noted that to sell their produce in the export market, farmers have to go through 56 steps, which he believes are necessary to ensure that products meet international standards.
He attributed the stringent regulations to the government's efforts to increase the quality of Kenyan products, making them consumable anywhere in the world.
Biwott also highlighted the government's plan to set up a commodities exchange by January 2020, which he believes will boost agricultural exports by aggregating high-quality produce, guaranteeing better prices to producers and exporters, and inculcating a culture of productivity and high quality in a sustainable manner.
He identified the lack of information about opportunities in the export market, the need for farmers to produce high-quality products, and the absence of efficient logistical infrastructure as some of the challenges facing local farmers.
Biwott emphasized the need for farmers to shift from exporting raw materials to value-added products and manufactured products, and to increase the quantity and quality of exports to boost the economy.
He also noted that Kenyan products are fairly competitive in the regional market, but there are some products like onions, eggs, and milk where Uganda and Tanzania have a competitive advantage over Kenya.
Biwott highlighted the importance of working with counties to promote international trade, including building a database of exportable products, establishing county trade information/investment hubs, and training trade officers to provide business counselling and export capacity development to local enterprises.
He emphasized the need to increase the presence of Kenya's farm produce in the international markets by fixing the production system, increasing the range of export products, and utilizing Kenyans in diaspora to help market the products.
