A possible breakthrough in agricultural trade between Kenya and South Africa is expected as Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe heads to South Africa for high-level negotiations aimed at eliminating non-tariff barriers that have for years limited the movement of Kenyan agricultural products into the South African market.
The CS will accompany William Ruto during a three-day State Visit to South Africa, where he is expected to hold parallel discussions focused specifically on strengthening agricultural trade and investment between the two countries.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the talks will seek to unlock new opportunities for Kenyan farmers by addressing longstanding trade bottlenecks that have restricted exports despite growing demand for Kenyan produce across the region.
“We are committed to removing barriers that hinder our farmers from accessing regional markets. Expanding trade is essential to improving farmer incomes and strengthening Kenya’s agricultural economy,” Kagwe said.
A major highlight of the visit is expected to be the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation on agriculture, which will provide a framework for collaboration in areas such as agricultural trade, research, technology transfer, value addition, food security, and investment in agribusiness.
The negotiations will also focus on increasing South African market access for key Kenyan commodities including tea, coffee, and avocados. The discussions come at a time when Kenyan avocados have recently received clearance to enter the South African market, opening new prospects for growers and exporters.
Kagwe noted that expanding export destinations is critical for the country’s agricultural sector, particularly as global trade dynamics continue to change.
“We must diversify our export markets so that Kenyan farmers are not overly dependent on a few traditional destinations. New markets create stability, increase competitiveness, and generate more opportunities across the value chain,” he said.
The visit comes amid growing concerns over disruptions affecting Kenya’s traditional export routes, particularly in the Middle East, where regional instability has increased shipping costs and delayed the movement of agricultural products such as tea and horticultural produce.
The challenges have heightened the government’s efforts to identify alternative and reliable markets capable of absorbing Kenyan exports while protecting the livelihoods of farmers and agribusinesses.
During the State Visit, Kagwe will also participate in the South Africa-Kenya Business Forum, which will bring together government officials and private sector leaders to explore partnerships and investment opportunities in agricultural value chains.
The forum is expected to showcase Kenya as a competitive producer of high-quality agricultural commodities while promoting investment in local agro-processing industries that can increase value addition before export.
Kagwe emphasized that strengthening partnerships within Africa is essential for achieving sustainable agricultural growth under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“Agriculture remains one of the strongest drivers of economic growth and job creation. Through stronger regional partnerships and expanded market access, we can create greater prosperity for our farmers while positioning Kenya as a leading agricultural hub on the continent,” he said.
By: Samuel Mwangi
