A pact signed by the European Union and Kenya to allow sea shipping for fresh produce has increased the volume of goods from Tanzania and Uganda to the country.
According to the Kenya Ports Authority, the volume of fresh produce from Tanzania and Uganda exported using reefers through the port of Mombasa, Kenya has increased to six per cent, in comparison to last year.
This is after Kenya signed a pact with the European Union, one of its major export destinations, agreeing to transport fresh produce via sea after Mombasa port complied with requirements last year," Capt Ruto said.
Speaking to journalists, Kenya Ports Authority Boss Captain William Ruto confirmed that the pact had been signed to help Kenya reduce its carbon footprint.
"Kenya started transporting horticultural produce by sea in a move that would reduce the carbon footprint and improve earnings, elaborated Ruto.
However, the move has served to boost earnings at the port as Ugandan and Tanzanian fresh produce has increased at the Mombasa port.
To facilitate the use of the sea to transport fresh produce, KPA has up-scaled the number of reefer points and also prioritised fresh produce at scanning points at different port facilities to ensure quick truck turn-around time.
"The goal is to enhance the competitiveness and share of exports of Kenyan avocado, mangoes and vegetables to Europe and other international markets, by focusing on resolving production, storage, logistics and value addition challenges that the sector faces,” stated Ruto.
This comes after Kenya and the European Union entered into a Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement in 2024 that was in the offing for over a decade.
The deal allows Kenya duty-free access to the European Union Market, a market that has 27 member states.
It is also the most ambitious trade deal ever signed by the EU with a developing country when it comes to sustainability provisions such as climate and environmental protection, labour rights and gender equality.
The Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Kenya aims to implement the provisions contained in the EU-East African Community (EAC) EPA and will be open for other EAC countries to join in the future
