As Kenya looks to expand exports of fresh produce and horticultural products, quality remains a central requirement for accessing international markets. However, limited training institutions tailored to the sector have posed a challenge.
To address this, the Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (FPC), in partnership with KarLo Seeds Kenya, has launched an academy at KarLo Seeds Thika to provide hands-on training for technical teams across the value chain.
According to FPC Chief Executive Officer Okisegere Ojepat, the academy will equip farmers, aggregators, exporters, and other stakeholders with practical knowledge in seed use, plant protection, disease detection, and post-harvest handling. "Most existing institutions fail to offer the practical solutions needed at both farm and business levels. This new academy will address that gap, enabling stakeholders not only to trade effectively in the local market but also to meet the stringent requirements of the export market," he said.
The Avocado Aggregators Association of Kenya welcomed the initiative. Chairman Wanjohi Mukuria said one of the main challenges for farmers is the prevalence of diseases in avocado farms. "If the quality of our avocados is poor, our clients do not pay, and that loss trickles down to the farmers. The key issue is quality—if we manage it well, we get paid, and farming becomes sustainable," he explained.
The European Union (EU) delegation in Kenya also highlighted the link between training and market access. Fillipo Amato, Head of Trade Section, noted that the EU-Kenya trade agreement provides duty- and quota-free access but added: "There is a quality issue, and initiatives like the opening of this academy will help address some of the challenges previously experienced."
The EU is supporting the Business Environment and Export Enhancement Programme (BEEP), which targets small and medium enterprises in the avocado, mango, and horticultural value chains. The program aims to strengthen competitiveness and compliance with environmental and labour standards required in the EU.
Thomas Wilde from the Import Promotion Desk (IPD) said the academy would support capacity building and sustainability for the FPC. The IPD, backed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), helps partner countries improve competitiveness and access the European market.
Kenya is also considering full testing rather than sampling of avocado export consignments to improve compliance with EU requirements, including minimum residue levels, plant health standards, and traceability.
Despite duty- and quota-free access under the EU Economic Partnership Agreement since July 2024, exporters face challenges with strict quality standards, phytosanitary compliance, and logistics. Premature harvesting and cold chain failures remain risks, especially for sea shipments.
The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) is scaling up avocado seedling multiplication, targeting 320,000 seedlings annually to meet EU demand. At the same time, outreach activities are promoting improved practices among growers.
Kenya's avocado exports to China increased nearly tenfold in 2023 compared to 2022, though the EU remains the primary market, keeping compliance with EU regulations a top priority.
Source: The Standard