Nairobi — Kenya has shipped its first-ever consignment of Apple mangoes to the United Kingdom, marking a major breakthrough for the country's horticultural exports ahead of the festive season and opening access to a high-value premium market.
The shipment confirms that Kenya has met the UK's strict phytosanitary and food safety standards, demonstrating strengthened pest control, traceability and cold-chain systems across the mango value chain.
The UK is a significant year-round market, importing about 81,000 tonnes of fresh mangoes in 2023. Entry of Apple mangoes--Kenya's most widely grown variety--unlocks a segment that had long remained out of reach due to compliance challenges.
Apple mangoes now account for more than 80 per cent of Kenya's mango production, following over two decades of investment in improved varieties, orchard management and post-harvest handling. The fruit is prized for its uniform size, attractive colour, low fibre content, sweetness and extended shelf life, qualities well suited to UK retail standards.
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The value chain is largely driven by smallholder farmers, delivering strong pro-poor outcomes by supporting rural incomes, youth and women participation, and livelihood diversification in key mango-growing regions.
Kenya produces an average of 650,000 tonnes of mangoes annually, valued at over Sh10 billion, making it one of Africa's largest producers. However, access to advanced markets was constrained after fruit fly interceptions led to a self-imposed export ban between 2010 and 2014. Since then, the country has rolled out reforms including national fruit-fly surveillance, mandatory orchard and packhouse registration, enhanced residue testing and tighter cold-chain controls.
Although the ban was lifted in 2021, rebuilding buyer and regulator confidence has taken time. The UK pilot is now being positioned as proof that investments in compliance can restore market access under the UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement.
"This is a defining moment in Kenya's export transformation story," said KEPROBA Chief Executive Officer Floice Mukabana. "Resuming Apple mango exports gives us a competitive edge and will directly benefit smallholder farmers while demonstrating our readiness to compete in demanding global markets."
British High Commission Economic Counsellor Daniel Wilcox said the shipment reflects progress in breaking trade barriers under the Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership, which aims to double trade by 2030.
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TradeMark Africa Country Director Lillian Mwai noted that the pilot signals a shift from volume-driven exports to quality-led competitiveness, aligned with Kenya's National Export Development Strategy.
The shipment was facilitated under the UK-funded Regional Economic Development and Trade Investment Programme, implemented by TradeMark Africa in partnership with the Government of Kenya and key horticultural industry players.
