NAIROBI, (The Southern African Times) – The value of Kenya’s agricultural exports rose in the first half of the year amid an increase in shipments to global markets and better prices, the Central Bank said on Friday.
The east African nation exported 24,158 tons of coffee worth 16.1 billion Kenyan shillings (about 149 million U.S. dollars) during the period, up from 25,383 tons worth about 118 million dollars in the second half of 2020, the apex bank said.
For horticultural produce, the east African nation exported 334,668 tons worth about 675 million dollars, a rise from 264,208 tons worth about 505 million dollars, said the Central Bank.
Tea earnings remained flat at about 629 million dollars despite the east African nation exporting 298,567 tons of tea in the first half of the year, down from 301,942 tons in the second half of 2020, an indication of better prices in the global market which lifted earnings.
The rise in agricultural exports indicates that the country has overcome disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, helped by diversification to new markets.
The European Union has been the largest market for Kenya’s agricultural produce but the country has diversified to non-traditional markets including Asia, according to Agriculture Food Authority director-general Kello Harsama.
