Nairobi: The Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry announced the formation of a new technical committee on Monday, aiming to establish a sustainable mango supply chain industry in Kenya. This initiative stems from a collaborative framework agreement signed between the Kenyan government and Coca-Cola Central, East, and West Africa, alongside Coca-Cola Beverages Kenya, during President Ruto’s state visit to Atlanta in May.
According to Kenya News Agency, the newly formed committee is charged with transforming the mango industry by enhancing high-potential mango varieties across the value chain. This includes steps from seed variety selection and planting to post-harvest handling, processing, and marketing strategies. The committee is expected to present a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations by February next year to develop a sustainable and profitable mango supply chain.
During a meeting held in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade, and Industry Salim Mvurya emphasized the s
ignificant opportunity presented by the partnership between Kenya and Coca-Cola. Mvurya highlighted the committee’s role in exploring sustainable methods for producing high-quality mangoes that meet international standards, facilitate market access, and promote commercial scale aggregation.
Mvurya further explained the advantages of leveraging existing markets negotiated through regional communities such as the East African Community (EAC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA). These efforts aim to empower farmers through training, knowledge sharing, and the promotion of cooperatives and other aggregation models, thus creating economies of scale and bargaining power.
He stressed the importance of empowering farmers to understand requisite quality and standards to connect Kenyan mango farmers with local processing companies and international buyers. The committee will also focus on assessing seasonality
impacts to establish a more predictable supply chain, which is crucial for better planning and investment in processing and export facilities.
Mvurya concluded by stating that mango farming has the potential to become a significant economic driver for Kenya. Transforming mangoes from a seasonal fruit into a reliable cash crop could support the livelihoods of thousands of farmers, create employment opportunities, and increase agricultural exports.