Kenya has announced plans to construct East Africa’s first exclusive cargo airport. CS Investments, Trade and Industry, Moses Kuria revealed the plans and said the move aims to create a faster mode of export of fresh produce.
Speaking during the launch of East African Portland Cement Company’s Green Cement, CS Kuria said the land on which the cargo airport will be built lies within the EAPCC land indicated in the Athi River, in its land title.
Leader in exportation of fresh produce
Kenya, is known to be a grower and exporter of avocados, vegetables and other fresh produce to world markets. The country topped Africa’s avocado exports last year and was among the world’s top 10 producers, with Murang’a leading with 31 percent of total production. However, the country only exported 10 percent of its total avocado production an indicator that the market potential is not fully exploited.
Horticulture Crops Directorate (HCD) Director Benjamin Tito said that Murang’a was followed closely by Kiambu, Nakuru, Kisii, Nyamira, Meru and Bomet counties. Tito also said that newcomers Nyeri, Laikipia, Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu have nearly doubled the area under production and are counties to watch in the next two years when their avocado crops comes mature. Between January to November this year, avocado farmers earned Sh14.48 billion compared to Sh14.41 billion over a similar period last year.
The EU is Kenya’s principal market in horticultural export produce with the UK, Netherlands and France being the main markets. Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Sweden are the other important markets in the EU. The UK and France are the primary markets for fresh vegetable produce from the country. In terms of proportions, Kenya exports the larger volumes of its cut flowers to the Netherlands, then the United Kingdom, Germany, and France respectively. The Middle East and South Africa are also vital markets outside the EU.
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