Kenya's fresh produce industry is an essential component of the national economy. In 2022, it contributed three percent to the countr's GDP and generated over Sh150 billion in exports while employing nearly 3.5 million people.
Kenya has always relied on air freight for speed and reliability, which is especially essential for perishable exports such as flowers.
However, the recent withdrawal of several flights services from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, as well as the high costs and environmental impact of air transport, make today an ideal time for Kenya to transition to sea freight.
This transition provides a chance to rethink Kenya's logistics for fresh produce exports, positioning the sector for long-term growth and competitive advantage. Transitioning to sea freight is not without complexities.
Longer transit times require a robust cold chain infrastructure to preserve the quality of perishable goods. Unfortunately, Kenya’s logistics systems have been tailored to air freight, with infrastructure, port facilities, and regulatory frameworks focused on short transit times.
Fresh produce demands a seamless cold chain, maintaining specific temperatures and humidity levels throughout.
Innovative approaches like on-farm packing into refrigerated containers and establishing sea freight consolidation centres near production areas could help overcome the current challenges.
However, this would require regulatory adjustments, as current regulations only allow exporters to nominate a single packhouse, limiting consolidation options. By permitting multiple packhouses and regional hubs, Kenya could better meet the demands of sea freight.
Mombasa, as East Africa’s largest port, plays a critical role in Kenya’s export landscape. However, its infrastructure has not kept pace with the growing needs of the fresh produce sector.
Targeted investments in refrigerated storage, streamlined customs processes, and enhanced connectivity to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) would expedite cargo movement, minimise spoilage, and make sea freight a more viable option for exporters. While the port has seen recent upgrades, further improvements specifically for perishable exports are essential to handle increased demand.
The current Red Sea crisis illustrates the risks of single-route dependency. By exploring alternative routes and establishing partnerships with stable regional ports, Kenya can develop a more diversified logistics network.
This approach would help mitigate delays caused by global shipping disruptions, enhancing Kenya’s reliability as a fresh produce supplier and giving exporters more flexibility to respond to market demands.
While the Red Sea crisis has disrupted trade, it also provides an opportunity for Kenya to build a logistics strategy that is resilient for the long term. Kenya’s fresh produce sector has the potential to be a global leader, and a shift to sea freight can make the country’s exports more competitive, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable.
By prioritising investments in cold chain infrastructure, regulatory flexibility, and port improvements, Kenya can fortify its logistics foundation and reduce its environmental footprint.
The writer is the chairperson of the National Horticulture Taskforce
