By Bisola Adeyemo
Kenya has signed an agreement with the Netherlands to start exporting horticulture through the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to enhance international trade.
Speaking with journalists in Nairobi on Monday, James Macharia, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development, and Public Works, said the deal involves the development of a cool logistics corridor on the railway system for transportation of fresh produce to the port of Mombasa for onward export to Europe.
“To make the railway system ready for transporting refrigerated fresh produce, Kenya Railways Corporation has embarked on re-modification work to install reefer plug-in points for the containers.” Macharia said.
On his part, Liesje Schreinemacher, Netherlands Minister of Foreign Trade and Development, said that her country is committed to creating a sustainable sea freight solution for fresh produce that will reinforce Kenya as a regional hub for handling perishable goods.
Horticulture is a major source of foreign exchange for Kenya alongside tea, tourism and remittances.
In Kenya, only 4% of all the horticultural produce (Fruits and Vegetables) is being exported while 96% is being consumed locally. Over 90% of all these produce consumed locally is being produced by small scale farmers. 95% of flowers grown locally are exported to various international markets.
Over the years the export segment of horticulture earns Kenya huge amounts of foreign exchange.