This archive report was first published on 1 November 2019.
On November 1, 2019, the European Union (EU) blacklisted Kenya among countries that use high levels of pesticide in horticultural produce, a move that poses a significant threat to the country's horticultural exports.
Kenya's horticultural exports are valued at hundreds of billions of shillings and are a major source of the country's foreign exchange. In 2018, flowers made up the bulk of the earnings, bringing in Sh113 billion, while fruits raked in Sh27 billion and vegetables Sh12 billion.
The blacklisting also raises concerns about the level of chemical residue in locally consumed fruit and vegetables, as well as the farming practices that lead to their overuse.
The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis) is the statutory body mandated with ensuring horticultural produce meets the stringent compliance levels set by export markets around the world. However, the blacklisting suggests that Kephis officials may not be doing enough to monitor the levels of chemical residue on Kenyan flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
Other challenges facing the sector, including improper marketing structures, muddy roads, and lack of adequate refrigeration facilities, also need to be addressed to help push up horticultural earnings.
