{
  "id": 12821970,
  "title": "Manufacturers call for more value addition to boost food exports",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/manufacturers-call-for-more-value-addition-to-boost-food-exports",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-08T07:46:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital Business",
    "slug": "capital-business",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/manufacturers-call-for-more-value-addition-to-boost-food-exports/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nairobi, Kenya – Manufacturers are urging for greater value addition in agricultural products to enhance Kenya's export earnings and competitiveness in international markets. This demand was expressed during the inaugural FoodPro East Africa 2026 exhibition held at the Sarit Expo Centre, which is highlighting food processing technologies, machinery, packaging solutions and production systems.\n\nPrincipal Secretary for Industry Juma Mukhwana emphasized the need for Kenya to shift from exporting raw agricultural products to locally processing more of its produce. He stated that agriculture contributes around 26 percent of the country's GDP and urged for a move towards higher levels of production by adding value to agricultural products to compete in global markets. Mukhwana highlighted that Kenya produces competitive agricultural products but lacks value in international markets due to insufficient processing. He further stated that the technologies and machinery showcased at FoodPro, such as equipment for processing peanut butter, avocado, and honey, could assist in increasing production and value addition for manufacturers.\n\nFormer Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) Chairman Rajan Shah pointed out that manufacturers need to boost their competitiveness as Kenyan products face competition from imported goods and raw materials. He noted that high taxes, regulatory challenges, logistics costs, and unpredictable policies continue to affect manufacturers, and emphasized the necessity of stable policies to encourage long-term investments in manufacturing. KAM Chief Executive Tobias Alando stressed the importance of focusing on processing, manufacturing, packaging, and branding agricultural products before exporting them. He added that increased local processing would generate stronger industries, extend supply chains, create more skilled jobs, and provide local businesses better access to regional and international markets. Alando also mentioned that the competitiveness of manufacturers relies on skilled workers who can operate modern manufacturing systems and adapt to changing market demands.\n\nThe three-day FoodPro East Africa 2026 exhibition, organized by KAM under the theme 'Industrialising East Africa Through Value Addition,' gathered manufacturers, technology providers, buyers, investors, and other stakeholders in the food value chain. The event concluded on Thursday, October 8.",
  "summary": "NAIROBI, Kenya, October 8 – Manufacturers are calling for increased value addition to agricultural products to help Kenya earn more from food exports and compete in international markets. The call…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}