Kenya will resume its mango exports to the European Union (EU) in September this year. This follows the EU’s tests, which showed low fruit fly infestation levels, allowing Kenya’s re-entry to Europe’s lucrative mango trade.
Kenya had gone into an eight-year-self imposed ban of mango shipments to Europe after a fruit fly outbreak.
Kenya in self-imposed ban
During this period, Kenya has been exporting its mangoes to the Middle East, where prices are much lower than those in European markets.
Mangoes are considered high-risk fruit because of their attraction to fruit flies.
Thus, the EU requires a phytosanitary document for exporting mangoes to Europe as well as hydrothermal treatments.
The national plant protection organization must submit these documents in the country of origin in advance.
The fruits must be recognized as free from fruit flies and come from an area certified as free from fruit flies by the national plant protection organization in the country of origin.
There should be no signs of fruit fly in the production area and its surroundings since the last vegetation cycle, including official inspections at least monthly during the three months before harvesting and on the harvested fruit.
Traceability information must be indicated on the certificates; The product has been subjected to an effective treatment to ensure freedom from fruit flies.
Authorities in producing countries have to declare a region pest-free or check on specific areas and product treatments.
Importing companies are concerned that many supplying countries are not ready for this new regulation and that it will affect the supply of fresh mangoes.
The move to resume exports to the EU from Kenya has been enabled by creating pest accessible areas that ensure exported mangoes are fly free.
In an interview with Businessdailyafrica.com, Geoffrey Kiganiri from USAID Kenya Crops and Market System said the organization did a dry run and submitted samples to the EU, giving its approval.
Pest-free zones have already been established in Makueni and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
Makueni County is the largest producer of mangoes in the country, accounting for 31% of the national output.
Figures from the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) of the United Nations, the Worldwide exports of mango experienced a 23% year-on-year increase in 2020.
The top 10 countries that produce mangoes are India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan, Mexico, Brazil, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Phillippines.
Asia, the largest mango producing region globally, is forecast to control over 71% of the world’s mango production by 2029.
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