Kenya mulls adopting Chinese packaging concept to boost trade

In Nairobi on December 13th, Kenya announced its intention to adopt the Chinese model of training packers in order to improve its horticultural commodities trade on the global stage.

According to Cornelly Serem, chairman of the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), Kenya’s failure to secure international markets for its horticultural produce is due to substandard packaging resulting from a lack of packer training.

Serem stated that Kenya aims to emulate China by establishing a specialized training institution to enhance the positioning of its horticultural produce in the international market. The comments were made during the certification ceremony for the Nairobi Horticulture Center Produce Handling Facility in Kenya’s capital.

The government is considering the establishment of an institution for training packers of fresh produce as a means to enhance the competitiveness of locally grown fruits and vegetables in the global market.

Following the certification, Kenya is now prepared to meet increased demand from China for mangoes and bananas, in addition to avocados, which the country is already exporting.

The certification is expected to address the requirements of other international markets like India, which have expressed interest in importing fresh produce from Kenya but have been deterred by issues related to packaging, hygiene, and product safety.

Zacharia Lukorito, the acting director in charge of standards development and trade at Kenya Bureau of Standards, explained that the certification process for the Horticultural Produce Handling Facility (Pack-House) involved a series of audits and corrective actions.

Christine Rotich, the acting director of the Horticultural Crops Directorate, described the certification process that began in 2017 as a boon for Kenya’s eight refrigerated packing houses.

Rotich highlighted that all personnel involved in the production process have received comprehensive training to implement and adhere to the HACCP plan, which is a tool for hazard assessment and control system implementation.

The government has also facilitated effective communication on food safety among all parties involved in the production process, involving analysis, sensitization of users, and training of auditors and food safety teams, according to Rotich.

Additionally, the pack house facility, which offers packing space and cold storage, caters to startup and medium-scale exporters and importers of various vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers.

During the 2022/2023 period, the facility handled 1.09 million kg of fruits including avocado, mangoes, and passion fruit, as well as 1.23 million kg of vegetables such as French beans, snow peas, sugar snaps, tomatoes, herbs, and spices.