Kenya’s horticultural sector remains a vital part of the economy, contributing approximately Sh157 billion in 2023 from the export of fruits, flowers, and vegetables.
This is according to 2024 statistics from the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD).
The data further shows that the total value of horticultural produce exported increased from Sh 147.08 billion in 2022 to Sh 156.69 billion in 2023.
This represents a 7% increase attributed to an increase in volumes exported by 76,931.27 metric tonnes.
During the period under review, the value of flower exports decreased by Sh 30.4 billion from Sh 103.8 billion in 2022 to Sh 73.5 billion.
In addition, the value of vegetable exports rose 115.5% from Sh 23.59 billion in 2022 to Sh 50.86 billion.
The value of fruit exports increased by 64.9% from Sh 19.63 billion in 2022 to Sh 32.37 billion in 2023, a 52% contribution of the total horticulture value.
In 2022, flower exports accounted for 47% of the total horticultural export values while vegetables and fruits accounted for 32.5% and 21% of the total value respectively.
In 2023, in the global share of exports in production, Kenya’s share was 3% for fruits and 2% for vegetables.
The statistics further indicate that Kenya’s share of global fruit production was 0.5% amounting to 4,242 tonnes while vegetable was 0.3% amounting to 3,388 tonnes.
Murang’a county led in produce of the total fruits value by 17% followed by Lamu (10%) and Meru (9%).
Other significant producers were Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Makueni and Taita Taveta.
Major fruits produced in 2023 were Bananas (34%), Avocado (23%), Mangoes (16%), Oranges (5.8%) and Watermelon (5%).
Other major fruits were Pawpaw, Pineapple and Lime.
In vegetable production, high-producing counties were Nyandarua (11.2%), Meru (8.8%), Nakuru (7.1%), and Narok (5.2%).
Others were Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Machakos, Muranga and Taita Taveta.
The statistics indicate that significant vegetables produced included tomatoes, cabbages, kales, garden peas, bulb onion, spinach and french beans.
On Medicinal and Aromatic Plants products, herbs, chillies, onion, leeks and capsicum were the top exports.
Top producers included Taita Taveta (24%), Meru (14%), Bungoma (11%) and Kitui.
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