East Africa targets costly horticulture trade bottlenecks at Nairobi Summit
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 16— East Africa’s horticulture industry is preparing for a regional push to cut the cost and delays of moving fresh produce across borders, with exporters facing expensive…
East Africa’s horticulture industry gathered in Nairobi on September 22-23 for a regional dialogue aimed at tackling costly trade bottlenecks affecting its highly perishable business. The meeting, the launch of the Horticulture Council of Eastern Africa (HoCEA), and a focus on four key areas signaled a coordinated effort to reduce freight costs, improve cold-chain systems, streamline digital trade, and ease sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
Issues like high freight charges, inadequate cold storage, weak collection systems, and border delays were expected to dominate discussions. Dr Jacqueline Mkindi, interim chair of HoCEA, highlighted the challenges affecting smallholder farmers, women, young people, small businesses, and logistics providers across the value chain.
The two-day event aimed to translate identified constraints into policy and investment commitments, with organizers targeting a Nairobi Communiqué outlining agreed priorities, responsible institutions, and implementation timelines.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 3 other outlets
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