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Image source: Kenya Airways<\/p><\/div>\n
The inaugural consignment was dispatched under a coordinated effort involving the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA), TradeMark Africa<\/a>, Kenya Airways<\/a>, the Fresh Produce Consortium<\/a>, and the Federation of Produce Exporters Association of Kenya<\/a> (FPEAK), alongside government regulators and industry stakeholders.<\/p>\n Speaking at the flag-off, Floice Mukabana, KEPROBA Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the importance of quality-led market access, noting that the shipment represents Kenya\u2019s readiness to meet stringent international standards while supporting higher incomes for farmers in key mango-growing regions.<\/p>\n Read also:\u00a0Kenya Airways flies first African route, from Nairobi to Cape Town, on sustainable fuel<\/a><\/p>\n Apple mangoes, a variety widely grown in Kenya\u2019s Makueni County, account for more than 80 percent of the country\u2019s mango production. Known for their uniform size, reddish-yellow skin, low fiber content, and sweet, juicy flesh, the fruit has gained international recognition for premium quality.<\/p>\n The UK market, which imported approximately 81,000 tones of fresh mangoes<\/a> in 2023, had long remained largely inaccessible to Kenya due to phytosanitary and compliance challenges, particularly fruit fly infestations that led to a self-imposed export ban between 2010 and 2014.<\/p>\n Since the ban was lifted, Kenya has invested heavily in the horticultural value chain, implementing national fruit fly surveillance, mandatory orchard and packhouse registration, enhanced residue testing, and robust cold-chain logistics. These interventions have strengthened traceability, improved post-harvest handling, and allowed local exporters to meet the rigorous food safety standards required by European markets.<\/p>\n The UK pilot shipment, therefore, serves as a litmus test for both regulatory compliance and commercial viability under the UK\u2013Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement.<\/p>\n \u201cResuming Apple mango exports gives us a competitive edge and directly benefits smallholder farmers while demonstrating our capacity to compete in demanding global markets.\u201d<\/em> British High Commission Economic Counsellor Daniel Wilcox added that the shipment reflects progress in overcoming trade barriers under the Kenya\u2013UK Strategic Partnership, which seeks to double bilateral trade by 2030.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Read also:\u00a0Africa\u2019s Cocoa, Coffee and Timber exports face new EU timeline under EU Deforestation Rules<\/a><\/p>\n The pilot comes at a time when Kenya\u2019s mango sector contributes significantly to the national economy, producing an average of 650,000 tonnes annually, valued at over Sh10 billion. The majority of production is driven by smallholder farmers, with women and youth forming a substantial portion of the workforce.<\/p>\n The expansion into high-value markets like the UK not only diversifies revenue streams but also strengthens rural livelihoods, encourages investment in orchard management, and incentivizes adherence to global quality standards.<\/p>\n Apple mangoes are harvested twice annually, providing a consistent supply window that aligns with peak demand in international markets during the Northern Hemisphere festive season. For Kenyan exporters, access to the UK market offers an opportunity to move beyond volume-driven strategies toward premium, quality-led competitiveness, a shift that aligns with the National Export Development Strategy and broader continental goals of enhancing agribusiness value addition.<\/p>\n The trial shipment is being monitored closely for supply chain performance, including cold-chain integrity, logistics efficiency, and market acceptance. Industry stakeholders anticipate that if the pilot proves successful, it could pave the way for regular commercial volumes, reinforcing Kenya\u2019s reputation as a reliable supplier of tropical fruit.<\/p>\n For British retailers and wholesalers, the initiative provides greater choice, consistent quality, and a trusted sourcing partner in East Africa.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Impact-Assesment.jpg\")
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