Kenya's horticultural sector experienced significant growth in 2023, driven by increased exports of vegetables, fruits, and cut flowers, according to data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) in Nairobi.
In the first 10 months of 2023 alone, Kenya exported a total of 580,648 tonnes of horticultural produce, surpassing the previous year's total export volume of 572,290 tonnes.
During this period, vegetable exports reached 245,194 tonnes, while fruit exports amounted to 224,643 tonnes, and cut flower exports totaled 110,811 tonnes. This marked a notable increase compared to 2022, when vegetable exports were 194,627 tonnes, fruit exports were 208,666 tonnes, and cut flower exports were 127,406 tonnes.
Although the growth in flower exports was not as rapid as that of fruits and vegetables, with Kenya exporting approximately 12,000 tonnes of flowers monthly, the total cut flower exports for 2023 are expected to reach about 134,000 tonnes.
Global inflation and uncertainty in demand have put pressure on prices, particularly affecting flower exports. Despite these challenges, industry experts like Clement Tulezi, CEO of the Kenya Flower Council, remain optimistic about a potential 10 percent increase in horticultural exports for 2023.
Horticulture continues to be a vital contributor to Kenya's economy, alongside other key sectors such as tourism and tea, underlining its importance as a foreign exchange earner for the country.
Source: www.capitalfm.co.ke