Strict EU protocols cut Kenya's fresh vegetables exports by half

A farmer sorts out her fresh beans destined for the market after boom harvest in Nanyuki, Laikipia County in February 2020. [Kibata Kihu/Standard] The European Union's (EU) stricter regulations on pesticide use halved the value of Kenya's fresh vegetable exports in 2024, even as the country also sold less than Sh100 billion worth of cut flowers overseas in the year. The Economic Survey 2025 report shows the volume of fresh vegetables exported in 2024 dropped by 54.7 per cent from 164,100 tonnes in 2023 to 74,300 tonnes in 2024. The value of the fresh vegetables dropped from Sh50.9 billion to Sh23.4 billion. The 164,100 tonnes exported in 2023 was the highest in the last five years. The report links the drop to Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) interceptions by the destination markets. "Further, EU notifications regarding Kenyan beans and peas in pods due to concerns about pesticide residue levels exceeding MRLs resulted in lower export volumes," the report says. However, fruit earnings during the period increased from Sh32.4 billion in 2023 to Sh41 billion in 2024, reflecting a 26.5 per cent increase. During the period, the volume of fruits exported overseas increased from 188,100 tonnes to 225,400 tonnes. Quarantine pest This is the second year in a row that Kenya is selling cut flowers valued at less than Sh100 billion, which the 2025 Economic Survey report links to regulations on False Codling Moth (FCM). Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis) describes FCM as a quarantine pest that is highly destructive as its larvae feed on a wide range of crops including fruits, vegetables and flowers. The pest is a native to sub-Saharan Africa and the EU countries are on high alert that it is not introduced in those jurisdictions. Cut flowers, whose drop in volume and value of exports has been linked to the false codling moth, witnessed reduced earnings from Sh73.5 billion in 2023 to Sh72.1 billion in 2024. In 2022, this figure stood at Sh104.3 billion, Sh110.8 billion in 2021, and Sh107.5 billion in 2020. "Earnings from exports of cut flowers declined marginally from Sh73.5 billion in 2023 to Sh72.1 billion in 2024 as a result of European Union (EU) enforcement of regulations on False Codling Moth (FCM) that led to higher rejections and interception rates," the report says. Kephis, while issuing an update on the steps taken to address this higher rejection of cut flowers exported to the EU market early in the year, explained that the pest compromises their quality, leading to interceptions in international markets. It adds that since 2017, FCM has been classified as a regulated quarantine pest by the EU, which means strict measures are required to prevent its introduction through imports. "Due to frequent interceptions of Kenyan rose exports, the EU has progressively heightened its inspection regimes," said Kephis. The inspectorate said sampling rates for Kenyan rose consignments have increased from five per cent in 2020 to 25 per cent as of May 2024. "To address these concerns, the EU introduced Regulation (EU) 2024/2004, effective April 26, 2025, which mandates stringent pest management measures for roses exported to the EU," said Kephis. Kephis has a Rose False Codling Moth System Approach (Rose FCMSA) as a counter measure to align the exporters with the EU regulations. "This protocol outlines comprehensive measures to prevent, detect, and control FCM at all stages of production, from pre- to post-harvest," said Kephis in the update. "The protocol aligns with the EU requirements for a 'systems approach', ensuring that roses meet the zero-tolerance threshold for FCM." As a result of this restriction, the total value of fresh horticultural produce exported in 2024 dropped by Sh20.1 billion to Sh136.6 billion, which the 2025 Economic Survey Report partly attributes to cargo restrictions at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Air cargo Consequently, the report says, there was increased demand for air cargo space, particularly for fruit exporters, leading to higher freight costs. In April 2022, the EU Commission issued regulations with regard to residue levels of certain pesticides used when growing crops destined to the market which led to setting new MRLs. The new MRLs covered fruits, fresh or frozen tree nuts; vegetables (fresh or frozen), and products of animal origin. The regulations covered products with the following residues: lutianil (EU), sulfoxaflor (Great Britain), cyantraniliprole (Great Britain) and cinmethylin (Great Britain). "Growers producing for export may need to adapt their practices to meet the new MRL or, if this is not possible, stop using these products and look for an alternative method of pest management," read an advisory by the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya in the wake of the regulations.

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