Chilli producers previously exporting to Europe have now shifted to the Middle East as the Codling Moth pest continues to impact negatively business in the European Union. This shift follows the EU’s trade restrictions based on the presence of the insects, which are a quarantine pest in Europe.
Subsequently, more than 90 percent of the Kenyan firms that used to export to the bloc avoid the market for fear of rejection. However, the growers increasingly opt to sell their chilli on the Middle-East market, although they will not get as high of a price like they would in Europe, where the produce is in high demand.
“Over 90 percent of the firms that used to export chilli to Europe have stopped because of the presence of the Codling Moth that is a quarantine pest in Europe,” said Ojepati Okesegere, chief executive at Fresh Producers Consortium of Kenya.
Source: businessdailyafrica.com