Kenya’s horticulture exports up in Q3

NAIROBI, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) — Kenya’s earnings from horticulture exports recovered in the third quarter of 2024, rising 1.5 percent on higher shipments, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) said Friday.
In a report released in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, the apex bank revealed that the export earnings were 41.3 billion Kenyan shillings (about 318 million U.S. dollars) in the third quarter, up from 313 million dollars in a similar quarter last year.
During the period, the East African nation exported 220,942 tonnes of produce, up from 213,178 tonnes in a similar period in 2023, according to CBK.
Kenya’s major horticulture produce includes cut flowers, fruits and vegetables, with cut flowers making up the majority of the produce exported to Europe and Asia.
The East African country is also seeking new markets for its horticulture produce, especially in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region.
Besides, the rise in earnings during the period is also attributed to a stable shilling, the local currency.
Since March 2024, the Kenyan shilling has stabilized at about 129 against the U.S. dollar, allowing exporters to receive consistent revenue. ■