Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui on Thursday, April 4, announced the government's plan to reap big from the multitrillion superfoods global market.
While speaking in Murang'a County during a tour of Kakuzi PLC Orchards and Packhouse, Chelugui noted that the government was focusing on sustainable agricultural value chain reforms which will see Kenya earn Ksh22.5 trillion (USD171.8 billion).
He noted that this includes global access for Kenyan avocado, macadamia and blueberry farmers by harnessing the power of co-op societies and MSMEs.
"Kenya is already doing well in producing superfoods such as Avocado, Macadamia, and Blueberries, which are also beginning to feature. We are number five in avocado exports and can easily get to number one," he remarked.
According to Chelugui, Kenya can become the number one avocado exporter globally if the country maintains global standards relating to crop husbandry, traceability and sustainability.
Chelugui further emphasised that co-operatives and other agri-business players have an opportunity to learn and forge partnerships with large players in the industry such as Kakuzi PLC.
"These players are willing to provide capacity building in farmer training, marketing and extension services which enable us to play in the top league as quality superfoods producers and exporters," the CS added.
He noted that the plan to earn from the global superfoods market was part of the agricultural transformation deliverables under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
On the other hand, Kakuzi's Managing Director, Chris Flowers, added that the company aspired to make Kenya the world's leading producer of superfoods.
"At Kakuzi, we have global markets because we maintain the required standards for such market access. Our success is primarily built on five key pillars: We export quality products, we export products with impeccable traceability credentials, we grow our products responsibly, we grow our products sustainably, and we lift others as we grow," Flowers added.
Notably, between January to November 2023 Kenya exported Ksh15 billion worth of avocados. The fruit was exported to the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, France, Spain, Turkey and China.
In a report from the Kenya Exports Promotion Agency released in December 2023, macadamia farmers earn Ksh500 per kilogram and export to over five countries.
About 90 per cent of the macadamia in the country is exported to countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Italy, France and Switzerland.
Kenya is also working to expand to China and other Asian countries. Kenya is among the top three largest exporters of macadamia globally.
Meanwhile, blueberry farming in Kenya officially began in August 2022 after Kakuzi PLC signed a deal with Driscoll.
