Horticulture sector to convene in Nairobi to address trade and logistics barriers

The meeting will examine persistent challenges affecting the movement of horticultural products from farms to domestic, regional, and international markets.

The event will also mark the official launch of the Horticulture Council of Eastern Africa (HoCEA), a regional, private-sector-led platform established to strengthen coordination, advocacy, market access, and institutional engagement within the sector.

Established in partnership with national horticulture associations and supported by TradeMark Africa (TMA), HoCEA aims to give the regional industry a unified voice when engaging policymakers.

While horticulture remains a vital driver of economic growth, employment, and export earnings in Eastern Africa, systemic bottlenecks continue to hinder its full potential.

“These challenges include high freight costs, inadequate cold-chain infrastructure, weak first-mile aggregation systems, fragmented digital trade processes, delays at ports and borders, inconsistent sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and certification procedures, and limited utilisation of opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” said Dr. Jacqueline Mkindi, HoCEA interim chair and Chief Executive Officer of TAHA.

Dr. Mkindi noted that these inefficiencies affect the entire value chain, including smallholder farmers, women, youth, small and medium-sized enterprises, and logistics providers.

The dialogue will focus on trade logistics and cold-chain systems, digital trade and smart corridors, SPS measures and non-tariff barriers, and AfCFTA market access implementation.

The proceedings are expected to culminate in the adoption of a "Nairobi Communiqué," setting out priority actions, responsible institutions, and implementation timelines.

HoCEA is expected to outline its immediate 90-day action plan to foster a more competitive, sustainable, and inclusive horticultural trade landscape across the region.