Nakuru County seeks collaboration with UK to boost horticulture exports

The Nakuru County government plans to strengthen its collaboration with the UK to guarantee continued market access for horticultural products from Kenya. Governor Lee Kinyanjui noted that Nakuru was the leading producer of herbs, spices, cut flowers and vegetables.

Speaking at the County Headquarters in Nakuru after holding talks with United Kingdom High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott, the governor stated that despite Covid-19 disruptions, the UK market accounts for 43% of total exports of vegetables from Kenya as well as at least 9% of cut flowers.

Kinyanjui added that, as the largest economy in East Africa and among the top 10 in the continent, Kenya was an important trading partner for the UK. He also noted that increased access to the UK export market by hundreds of small holder farmers who have ventured into avocado farming would improve livelihoods and increase incomes for thousands of rural households.

Kinyanjui assured that his administration had dispatched agriculture extension officers to train youthful horticultural farmers on the mandatory standards their produce is expected to meet in the European Union (EU) and other export markets.

As reported on kbc.co.ke¸ Miss Marriott called on Kenya to ride on the deal with the UK to grow its exports, which are largely agricultural produce.