Main Products for Export
Kenya's agricultural exports are dominated by high-quality products that have established strong market positions globally. These products are supported by well-structured regulatory frameworks and specialized agencies.
Coffee Industry - 100% Mild Arabica
Market Position & Quality
Kenya is a specialty coffee producer whose 100% Mild Arabica Coffee has carved a niche in the international arena. Coffee is the fourth largest foreign exchange earner after tea, tourism, and horticulture.
Directly and indirectly along value chain
8% of total agricultural exports
Why Kenyan Coffee?
The Kenyan cup is both the most balanced and the most complex of coffee origins. Powerful, wine-toned malic or green apple acidity is characteristic, with notes of black-currant and cane sugar. The body provides a medium to full feel with round and smooth characteristics. Some Kenyan coffees display berry-like nuances, while others present citrus tones.
Traditional Export Markets
- Germany
- Belgium
- United Kingdom
- Sweden
- Finland
- Specialty & Emerging Markets
Regulatory Bodies & Agencies
-
Coffee Directorate
Ministry of Agriculture -
Coffee Board of Kenya (CBK)
Licensing & regulation -
Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE)
Auction system -
Coffee Research Institute
Research & development -
Kenya Association of Coffee Exporters
Export facilitation
Kenyan Tea - Natural | Fresh | Premium
Global Market Leadership
Kenya is the third largest producer and the largest exporter of tea in the world, commanding 20% of global tea exports. Tea is grown on highlands (1500m-2700m) with alluvial soils, giving it unique quality and taste.
Total plantation area
Annual production
Exported in 2018
Processing Methods
Over 90% of Kenya's tea is manufactured using Cut, Tear and Curl (CTC) method to ensure maximum cuppage per unit weight. Other high value teas available are from the Specialty tea sector including orthodox (leaf) purple, white, yellow, green and red teas.
Why Buy Kenya Tea?
- No pesticides or agro-chemicals [NATURAL]
- High quality varieties [PREMIUM]
- Efficient marketing infrastructure [FRESH]
- Global standards compliance [PREMIUM]
Regulatory Bodies & Agencies
-
Tea Directorate
Ministry of Agriculture -
Tea Board of Kenya (TBK)
Regulation & development -
Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA)
Smallholder support -
Tea Research Institute
Research & innovation -
East Africa Tea Trade Association (EATTA)
Market facilitation -
Mombasa Tea Auction
Price discovery mechanism
Floriculture - From Kenya With Love
Global Market Position
Kenya is the third largest producer and exporter of cut flowers in the world. The floriculture industry continues to attract investors due to solid infrastructure, favorable climate, global positioning, and productive workforce.
Exported to Holland
To United Kingdom
EU market share
Total horticultural exports (2016)
Main Cut Flowers
- Roses
- Carnations
- Alstroemeria
- Gypsophilla
- Lilies
- Eryngiums
- Arabicum
- Summer flowers variety
Industry Structure
The industry comprises large, medium and small scale producers who have attained high management standards and invested heavily in value addition through adoption of modern technology in production, precision farming and marketing.
Regulatory Bodies & Agencies
-
Horticultural Crops Development Authority (HCDA)
Regulation & development -
Kenya Flower Council (KFC)
Industry standards & certification -
Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK)
Export facilitation -
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
Phytosanitary certification -
Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM)
Manufacturing support
Pyrethrum Industry - World's Best Natural Insecticide
Global Quality Leadership
Kenya has the potential to produce over 20,000 Metric Tons of dry pyrethrum flowers annually, earning over KES 7.5 billion in foreign exchange. The conditions in Kenya are ideal for growing high quality pyrethrum producing chrysanthemums used as natural insecticides. Kenyan pyrethrin has a reputation as the best in the world.
Annual potential production
Foreign exchange potential
Processing capacity
Growing Counties (19)
- • Nakuru
- • Kiambu
- • Nyandarua
- • Nyeri
- • Laikipia
- • Meru
- • Embu
- • Baringo
- • Elgeyo Marakwet
- • West Pokot
- • Trans Nzoia
- • Bungoma
- • Uasin Gishu
- • Nandi
- • Kericho
- • Bomet
- • Kisii
- • Murang'a
- • Nyamira
Regulatory Bodies & Agencies
-
Pyrethrum Board of Kenya (PBK)
Industry regulation & development -
Ministry of Agriculture
Policy formulation -
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)
Research & development -
Pest Control Products Board (PCPB)
Registration & quality control -
Export Promotion Council
Export facilitation
Herbs and Spices - Emerging Niche Products
Growing Market Demand
Emerging niche products from Kenya include herbs especially chives, basil, coriander, thyme and rosemary that are destined to EU markets. Tender stem broccoli (TSB) is also gaining popularity especially in the UK market.
Main Export Products
- Chives
- Basil
- Coriander
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Tender stem broccoli (TSB)
Export Destinations
European Union:
- • United Kingdom
- • France
- • Netherlands
- • Germany
- • Belgium
Other Markets:
- • Middle East
- • Russia
- • Djibouti
Regulatory Bodies & Agencies
-
Horticultural Crops Development Authority (HCDA)
Regulation & development -
Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK)
Export facilitation -
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
Phytosanitary certification -
Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)
Quality standards
Macadamia Nuts - World's Finest Dessert Nut
Global Market Position
Kenya is ranked as the third largest exporter of macadamia nuts after Australia and South Africa. Being a low-input crop, macadamia is grown by over 2 million smallholder farmers across the country supplying close to 30 processors.
Smallholder farmers
Nationwide
Production exported
Export Destinations
Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, USA, Canada, Switzerland, China, East Asia, and India
Quality Advantage
Kenya's macadamia is especially richer, crunchier and of higher quality due to growth in the mineral rich highland soils of Mount Kenya, right through the equator. The premium and fresh Kenyan macadamia nuts are popular ingredients in confectionery, baking, ice cream and snack food industries.
Regulatory Bodies & Agencies
-
Nut Processors Association of Kenya (NUTPAK)
Industry coordination & standards -
Horticultural Crops Development Authority (HCDA)
Regulation & development -
Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)
Quality certification -
Export Promotion Council
Export facilitation -
Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM)
Manufacturing support
Export Support Infrastructure
Logistics & Transportation
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) - Major cargo hub for fresh produce
- Port of Mombasa - Main seaport for bulk exports
- Cold chain facilities - Temperature-controlled storage and transport
- Export warehouses - Modern packing and processing facilities
Quality Assurance & Standards
- GlobalGAP certification - Good Agricultural Practices
- HACCP compliance - Food safety management
- Organic certification - Certified organic products
- Fair Trade certification - Ethical sourcing standards
Government Support for Exports
Policy Support
- Export promotion policies
- Tax incentives for exporters
- Duty-free importation of inputs
- Research and development funding
Infrastructure Development
- Modern processing facilities
- Improved transportation networks
- Cold storage infrastructure
- Market access facilitation