Catalysing food safety in the domestic horticulture sector in Kenya: The potential link between export production and evolving domestic supply chains
This report (PDF) by Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation (WCDI), TradeCare and 3R Kenya presents findings of research which aims to understand the leverage points that can catalyse investment opportunities for enhancing quality and safety in the domestic fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV) sector. FFV that meets food safety and quality standards is in high demand by the export market and some segments of the domestic markets. However, despite there being domestic demand for FFV that meets high safety standards, the produce grown by certified and non-certified farmers that meets these standards is mixed and traded with produce that does not. Key findings on the supply side include that good production practices are diffused from the export platform by small- and medium scale farmers who are producing FFV for both export and domestic markets. Further, certified farmers are more likely to invest as much in quality inputs for domestic as export production. Recommended is that targeted training and extension services by private actors for farmers should be provided by both public and private extension providers to improve food safety and quality. A key finding on the demand site is that there is a clear segmentation of markets that recognize the importance of food safety and those who do not. Moreover, no attention is paid to food safety in wet markets, but they dominate trade over 80%. A two-step approach is recommended: investigate how to link grocery stores to farmers with high quality standards and scale up the research within wet markets. A policy recommendation is to prioritize and make funds available for the implementation of a national monitoring plan for FFV destined for the domestic market. Finally, awareness of food safety that the different actors in the horticulture sector have should be increased and non-compliance with food safety procedures and regulations should be properly monitored.