Kenya Breaking into the European Market
Kenya can reap big gains from exporting beeswax to the European Union (EU) market as bees in EU are expected to significantly reduce over the coming years. The EU is Kenya’s major trading partner with horticulture and floriculture taking lead.
So what does it take to break into the European Union market?
Alex Chamwada reports more about how Kenya is working with EU to ensure plant and animals exported to the EU meet the expected standards.
According to International Cooperation and Development, the European Union spends about 100 million euros per year on Development Cooperation that directly benefits Kenya, mainly funded from the European Development Fund.
In 2014 the country had problems with exports of agriculture produce. The EU was concerned about the pesticide levels detected in the produce, especially the french beans and peas.
“We also trained our staff on pesticide analysis” said the Kenya Plant health inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) Managing director Dr Esther Kimani.
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Kenya has now invested into more equipped labs to enable them perform analysis that would previously not be done. These can now detect residues. This has resulted in boosting confidence by the EU on the Kenya’s produce.
“Issue of the pesticide residue starts at the farm level what is the farmer spraying. Then the exporter, what is he buying the exporter then gives his product to clearing agents are they ensuring that the good product that they bought is the same one that they take to the EU market?” Dr Kimani says.
“I think the EU market is big for Africa especially milk.” Says Dr. K.A Shah, a Veterinary from Eldoret.
“If we are able to tap into that market that would be fantastic. As for the EU countries they are very strict on the antibiotic levels they will not accept any product that has high levels of antibiotics.” He says adding that It would be very beneficial is we are able to determine the levels of antibiotics in Kenya and certify that they are products which can be exported.
