Kenya’s Horticulture exports earnings dropped by KSh20 billion in the first quarter of this year, attributed to low-quality avocados and a sharp fall in returns from flowers.
Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows the export value of the produce declined to KSh26 billion in the period under review from KSh46 billion for the same period last year.
Head of Horticulture Directorate, Benjamin Tito says a good number of avocados that were exported were not mature enough, resulting into low value and huge rejection of the produce in the world market, which would have lifted earnings.
Earnings from flowers dropped by KSh10.3 billion to KSh21.8 billion in the quarter under review while fruits raked in KSh2 billion from KSh5.6 billion previously. Returns from vegetables fell by KSh6.1 billion to KSh2.2 billion.
The European Union ranks as the largest importer of Kenyan horticultural products, buying 45% of the commodities mainly comprising cut flowers, French beans, snow peas, and Asian vegetables.
Other leading export destinations for all the horticultural produce are the Netherlands, United Kingdom (UK), Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Belgium, the Middle East, and the Far East.
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