Expand Kenya’s horticulture exports  

Industry experts argue that Kenya has focused predominantly on seven key horticultural products, limiting its full export potential.

By CATHERINE RIUNGU / catherine@hortinews,co.ke 

Kenya’s horticulture sector is a key pillar of its economy, generating significant foreign exchange. However, industry experts argue that Kenya has focused predominantly on seven key horticultural products, limiting its full export potential. While these products have driven the country’s success, many other crops remain underexploited, according to industry experts, who spoke at the closing ceremony of the NExT Kenya programme.

The NExT Kenya Programme (The New Export and Trade Programme) was launched in April 2020 with funding from the European Union (EU) under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). With a budget of EUR 5 million, the programme’s primary objective was to strengthen Kenya’s horticultural value chains and enhance the competitiveness of Kenyan horticultural exports. Through strategic interventions, NExT Kenya aimed to improve the quality and safety of horticultural products while fostering increased employment opportunities, higher foreign exchange earnings, and improved food security and nutrition in Kenya.

The programme, funded by the European Union under Committee Linking Entrepreneurship-Agriculture-Development (COLEAD) came to a close last Friday, March 28, 2025, at a ceremony in which the Technical Lead Dr Chagema Kedera, Fresh Produce Consortium Chief Executive Officer, Okisegere Ojepat and the Kenya Agricultural Research & Livestock organization Director of Crops Dr Lusike Wasilwa mentioned the untapped potential in product diversification. They said Kenya has focused on seven products and called on stakeholders to look into the opportunities being missed to further enhance the country’s competitiveness in the global fresh produce trade.

“While Kenya’s horticultural sector has thrived on its core seven export products, there is vast potential to expand into potatoes, macadamia nuts, herbs, berries, and other high-value crops”, said Mr Ojepat.

For the product diversification to work, “strategic investment and market-oriented policies will be critical in unlocking these opportunities, ensuring that Kenya maximizes its agricultural potential in the global fresh produce industry,” said Dr Kedera, a key achievement of the NeXT programme that has supported the institutionalization of the National Horticulture Standing Commitee a 12-member formation comprising the government, industry regulators and business management organizations. Dr Lusike urged the taskforce to prioritize policies that will assist the industry to tackle the 122 obstacles identified by the Kedera-led initiative as hampering the smooth running of the horticulture sector.  Mr Ojepat is the co-chair of the taskforce, his counterpart being Agriculture Secretary Collins Marangu.

Following the above highlights, Hortinews has compiled the following as Kenya’s main horticultural exports and highlighted the opportunities for diversification.

The big seven

Currently, Kenya’s fresh produce exports are heavily concentrated on:

1. Cut Flowers – Roses, carnations, lilies, and chrysanthemums dominate, mainly destined for the European market.
2. French Beans – A major vegetable export to the EU and Middle East.
3. Snow Peas & Sugar Snap Peas – High-value legumes favored in European cuisine.
4. Avocados – Particularly Hass and Fuerte varieties, exported to China, the EU, and the Middle East.
5. Mangoes – Popular in Asia and the Middle East, with growing demand in Europe.
6. Pineapples – Exported mainly to regional markets and select international destinations.
7. Bananas – Primarily exported to regional markets but with potential for broader global reach.

High-Potential Crops for Export Expansion

Despite Kenya’s success in the seven products, the country has the capacity to expand into new crops that can generate higher revenues and create more jobs for farmers. Key opportunities include:

1. 1. Potatoes
   • Kenya is one of Africa’s largest potato producers, yet exports remain minimal.
     1. Processing into frozen chips, crisps, and other value-added products can enhance competitiveness.
2. 2. Macadamia Nut
   • A fast-growing sector with increasing global demand, especially in China and the U.S.
3. 3.Herbs and Spices
   • Kenya has an ideal climate for herbs such as basil, rosemary, mint, thyme, and coriander.
     1. Global demand for organic and specialty herbs presents a lucrative opportunity.
4. 4.Berries (Blueberries, Raspberries, and Strawberries)
   • Currently underdeveloped, yet high in demand in the European and U.S. markets.
     1. Requires investment in greenhouse production and export-oriented logistics.
5. 5.Cashew Nuts
   • Grown along the Kenyan coast but largely exported in raw form.
     1. Processing into kernels and value-added nut products could increase profits.
6. 6.Passion Fruits
7. Strong domestic production but limited structured exports.
   1. Investing in quality control and cold-chain logistics can expand export reach.
8. 7.Asparagus and Artichokes
   • Premium vegetables in high demand in Europe and Asia.
     1. Requires structured production and export strategies to compete with established suppliers.
9. 8. Chili
   • Kenya’s climate supports chili production, and exports are growing steadily.
     1. Strong demand in European, Middle Eastern, and Asian markets provides expansion opportunities.
10. 9.Baby Corn
    • Increasingly popular in ready-to-cook meal kits and frozen vegetable packs.
      1. Investment in packaging and processing can increase its marketability.
11. 10.Peas and Pods
    • Includes garden peas and sugar snap peas, which are part of Kenya’s growing ready-to-eat fresh produce segment.
      • Expansion in high-end European retail markets can improve returns.
12. 11.Carrots
    • Already widely grown in Kenya, but exports remain low.
      • Growing demand for pre-packaged, ready-to-eat vegetable packs in international markets presents an opportunity.

Kenya has an opportunity to diversify its horticultural export basket by:

• Enhancing cold chain infrastructure to support perishable exports.
• Investing in value addition to reduce post-harvest losses and increase competitiveness.
• Expanding market access through trade agreements and compliance with global standards.
• Promoting organic certification to tap into the premium organic produce market.
• Finance  – Credit facilities friendly to the sector- the banking sector doesn’t understand the financial needs of fresh produce industry calling for modelling suitable products.
• Labels extension for crop protection products
• Markets diversification