Kenya’s once-thriving horticulture sector faced a tough year in 2024, with export earnings dropping to Sh137 billion (about 1.06 billion U.S. dollars), a stark decline from the 1.21 billion dollars recorded in 2023.

Agriculture PS Kipronoh Ronoh Paul revealed the grim figures during a briefing in Nairobi, pointing to challenges that rocked the industry.

Ronoh cited the strengthening Kenyan shilling as a key culprit, making the country’s produce less competitive in global markets.

Compounding the issue, heightened insecurity in the Red Sea forced exporters to reroute their shipments, causing delays and escalating airfreight costs.

“The change of export routes not only lengthened transit times for those highly perishable products but also increased airfreight costs,” Ronoh explained.

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Horticulture remains a cornerstone of Kenya’s economy, with its primary exports—vegetables, fruits, and cut flowers—fetching significant foreign revenue.

While vegetables account for the highest shipment volume, flowers, predominantly sold in European markets, generate the lion’s share of income.

Yet, 2024 saw the sector grapple with an array of hurdles, from rising production costs and climate-related disruptions to regulatory constraints in international markets.

The impact of these challenges was further highlighted by Okisegere Ojepat, CEO of the Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya, who emphasised the need for a strategic shift.

“We need to embark on market and product diversification to reduce over-dependence on a narrow range of products and destinations,” Ojepat urged.

In a bid to revitalise the sector, the government inaugurated the National Horticulture Standing Committee, with Dr Collins Marangu at the helm.

The committee has been tasked with addressing critical issues, such as combating False Codling Moth infestations, resolving Maximum Residual Levels concerns in beans and peas, and broadening market access.

“The recovery of horticulture and floriculture in Kenya will be central to the overall economic restoration,” Ronoh said.

He affirmed his dedication to working alongside the committee and other government agencies, stating, “We expect the committee to effectively provide guidance and direction in addressing current and emerging challenges facing the industry.”

While the road ahead may be fraught with challenges, the hope is that these measures will chart a new path for Kenya’s horticulture sector, ensuring its resilience and growth in the years to come.