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Why compliance is stifling Kenya’s fresh produce exports
Many rural households that relied on horticulture for income, food security, and education now face job losses, rising debt burdens, and a retreat from agricultural livelihoods
In 2024, Kenya’s fresh vegetable exports to the European Union (EU) declined sharply by 54.7 percent, from 164,100 tonnes to 74,300 tonnes. This reduction in volume led to a corresponding drop in export earnings from Sh50.9 billion to Sh23.4 billion.
The decline is largely attributable to the enforcement of stricter EU pesticide regulations, particularly following amendments to Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 of the EU parliament, which delisted over 30 commonly used active substances, severely limiting farmers’ options for crop protection.
