Kenya: The 6th International Avocado Africa Expo has been officially announced open in Nairobi this week. It brought together abroad the cross section of industry from smallholder farmers, exporters, government agencies and private logistics players.
Reportedly, Kenya is leading the continent as Africa’s top avocado producer and exporter. It is focusing on the shared goal of the summit that goes beyond enhancing trade. Also, it is streamlining the fresh produce value chain by identifying and sealing gaps between post-harvest and the product reaching the global market.
As the region’s key trade facilitator and logistics partner, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) plays a critical role in ensuring that fresh produce reaches to international markets in perfect condition. Even as importing countries enforce strict standards on quality.
At the national level, the Authority is also responsible of supporting the government’s efforts to balance trade by increasing export volumes. However, exports still fall below their potential, therefore bridging that gap requires making Kenyan produce more competitive in both price and reliability.
Furthermore, to achieve this, KPA is investing in cold chain logistics and has rolled out several practical initiatives. The Kenya Ports Authority has implemented discounted port charges for export cargo to support the agriculture sector by giving farmers and exporters a competitive edge in international markets.
A dedicated ‘green channel’ now gives fresh produce exports priority access for gate entry and handling them at port facilities. This helps in keeping cargo on schedule, by ensuring that the goods reach their destination while being still at peak quality.
Notably, Kenya Ports Authority is strengthening infrastructure while encouraging a shift from air to sea freight for fresh produce. At the Port of Mombasa, the Inland Container Depot in Nairobi, and the Naivasha facility, KPA is adding more reefer plugin points. These connections power refrigerated containers, by keeping avocados and other perishables cool before loading and helping to reduce spoilage