Kenya’s horticultural exports are facing mounting scrutiny in international markets, particularly within the European Union, where rising interceptions are threatening the country’s hard-earned reputation. From the False Codling Moth (FCM) in cut flowers to Maximum Residue Level (MRL) violations in capsicum, and persistent documentation errors, these challenges are leading to rejected shipments, financial losses, and lost trust in Kenyan produce.
The pressure intensified on April 26, 2025, when the European Union implemented a new, stricter protocol for plant health and safety. With this regulation now in effect, Kenyan exporters are being called upon to rise to the challenge—to defend market access, meet evolving international standards, and uphold Kenya’s competitiveness on the global stage.
To address these challenges, three key government agencies—KEPROBA, KEBS, and KEPHIS—are stepping up. Together, they are leading a nationwide campaign to enhance compliance, strengthen capacity, and unlock new markets for Kenya’s horticultural exports. Central to this effort is a webinar scheduled for May 27, 2025, which brings together stakeholders from across the export ecosystem: farmers, aggregators, exporters, logistics providers, trade associations, and government bodies.
The goal is clear: to empower Kenya’s exporters to meet—and exceed—global market requirements.
Through this webinar and associated initiatives, participants will gain insights into:
Mitigating the risk of shipment rejections by addressing the root causes of export interceptions, including FCM in flowers, MRL exceedances in capsicum, and incomplete or inaccurate phytosanitary documentation.
Preparing for stricter EU regulations through pre-export inspections and robust compliance audits.
Expanding market access by using market intelligence to identify and tap into opportunities in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Positioning Kenyan produce as not only high-quality and compliant, but also ethically and sustainably produced—attributes increasingly valued in international markets.
To support this national effort, several key interventions are already underway:
Targeted training programs have been launched to support flower and capsicum exporters in meeting FCM and MRL standards.
Digital certification tools are being rolled out by KEBS and KEPHIS to minimize human error and reduce delays.
A pre-export inspection program is now in place, aimed at detecting high-risk issues before products leave Kenyan soil.
And, a joint task force has been formed, creating a collaborative framework for ongoing support and coordination among key regulatory agencies.
For the thousands of smallholders and exporters whose livelihoods depend on access to global markets, these measures are not just timely—they are essential.
Ultimately, participants in the May 27 webinar can expect to walk away better equipped to navigate new regulatory landscapes, more confident in their export readiness, and committed to positioning Kenya as a trusted, quality-driven export partner in the global horticultural trade.
This is more than a webinar. It’s a turning point for Kenya’s export agenda—a rallying call for unity, compliance, and progress.