Kenya’s government has confirmed plans to use the local co-operatives network to position Kenya as a leading superfood producer and exporter.
Kenya is already producing superfoods such as Avocado, Macadamia, and Blueberries, which are also beginning to feature.According to Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui, the government is zeroing in on the US$ 171.8 billion global superfoods market as part of the agricultural transformation deliverables under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).The escalating demand for superfood-infused snacks, the rising adoption of veganism and vegetarianism, and the growing consciousness about preventive healthcare measures are some of the major factors propelling the market.
Speaking during at Kakuzi Plc orchards and Packhouse in Murang’a County, Chelugui said Kenya is focusing on sustainable agricultural value chain reforms, including global market access for Kenyan Avocado, Macadamia, and Blueberry farmers, by harnessing the latent power of co-op societies and MSMEs as the world’s enthusiasm and demand for superfoods continue to
Chelugui said Kenya will adopt a public-private partnership with leading growers such as Kakuzi to provide much-needed technical capacity building for local farmers under the Co-operatives movement.
“Our cooperative societies and other MSME Agri-business players have an opportunity to learn and forge partnerships with large players such as Kakuzi, who are willing to provide capacity building in farmer training, marketing, and extension services to enable us to play in the top league as quality superfoods producers and exporters.”
Director Chris Flowers described the firm as the single largest producer of avocados and macadamia nuts in Kenya, accounting for an estimated 12% of all avocados exported from Kenya.
“We aspire 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,” said Flowers.
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