The United Kingdom has added Kenyan snow peas to its list of horticultural products subject to reduced inspection rates, a move expected to boost Kenya's export earnings.
Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya announced that the inspection rate for snow peas has been cut from 10 percent to 5 percent of the total consignment, a reduction that is likely to lower exporters costs and enhance the competitiveness of Kenyan cowpeas in the UK market.
Kenya exported vegetables and fruits worth Ksh20.3 billion from January to March this year, marking a 1.5 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023.
The country is optimistic that horticultural sales will rise further in the last quarter of the year, driven by the eased UK inspection requirements.
Snow peas now join Kenyan cut flowers as products benefiting from less stringent checks in the UK, following Kenya's heightened pesticide surveillance on horticultural exports to key markets.
The minister also revealed that, UK investors are planning to establish a Ksh1.3 billion macadamia and cashew nut processing facility in Lamu, aiming to boost nut imports from Kenya to the UK.
