Team established to boost mango supply chain
The government through the trade ministry and Coca-Cola have set up a new technical committee which will focus on establishing a sustainable mango supply chain industry in the country.
The technical committee inaugurated by Investment, Trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya is expected to help tranform the mango value chain by exploring ways to enhance high-potential mango varieties from seed variety selection and planting to post-harvest handling, processing and marketing.
“This partnership between Kenya and Coca-Cola is a significant opportunity that must be seized. The committee has a vital role in exploring sustainable methods of producing high-quality mangoes that meet international standards, facilitate market access, and promote aggregation for commercial scale,” said Mvurya.
The committee has been set up on the following a collaborative framework agreement signed between the government and and Coca-Cola Central, East, and West Africa and CocaCola Beverages Kenya during President William Ruto’s state visit to Atlanta in May this year.
Through the committee’s findings and recommendations, Kenyan mango farmers are expected to enjoy increased access to markets 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 (AfCFTA).
Farmers are also set to access training, knowledge sharing and promotion of cooperatives and other aggregation models allowing them to pool their resources, improve their bargaining power, and ensure consistent and steady supply of the fruit all throughout the year.
“Farmers need to be empowered to understand the requisite quality and standards required so as to link Kenyan mango farmers with local processing companies, as well as international buyers. This can be achieved through close collaboration with county governments, which will play a key role in training and supporting farmers,” he added.
The committee is also tasked with assessing the impacts of seasonality and building a more predictable supply chain, which will enable better planning and investment in processing and export facilities.
The technical committee is expected to deliver a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations to develop a sustainable and profitable mango supply chain early February next year.
