This archive report was first published on 18 August 2019.
Kenya is racing against time to comply with new regulations on horticultural exports to Australia, or risk losing a multibillion-dollar market.
As of September 1, Kenya's flower exports to Australia will be banned if the country fails to meet the zero pest tolerance directive, which was initially set to take effect on July 1 but was delayed due to Kenya's request for an extension.
The directive requires Kenyan exporters to fumigate their produce at least 18 hours before export, a process that is currently not in place. Australia currently disinfects the produce at its port of entry.
Stakeholders in the industry are concerned that Kenya may not have the capacity to set up a full-fledged fumigation infrastructure, with estimates suggesting that it would cost at least Sh500 million to establish such a facility.
The cut-flower export is the largest earner in the horticulture sector, contributing over 70 percent of the total fresh produce's annual earnings. In 2018, flowers earned Sh113 billion, followed by fruits at Sh12 billion and vegetables at Sh27 billion.
Published on August 18, 2019, by The Business Daily.
