Agricultural trade betweenKenyaand the Middle East is experiencingchallengesduetoregionalconflictsthatarehindering shipments valuedatapproximately Sh300 million, accordingto Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
Kagwe stated that thefighting, which has continued for abouttwo weeks, has disrupted exports of meat and other animal products, impacting Kenyan suppliers reliant on these markets.
He also emphasized that the nation’s tea exports to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates have been affected, pointing out that the city acts as a key blending and distribution center for tea intended for other Middle Eastern countries.
“The DMCC in Dubai is the location where we blend certain teas, especially for various Middle Eastern countries,” Kagwe stated on Thursday.
Despite the challenges, Kagwe stated that the government is rapidly working to find alternative markets to enable farmers and exporters to access their markets. He observed that new prospects are arising for meat and associated products as conventional supply pathways encounter disruptions.
“We are confident that we can serve other markets and substitute thosethat are presentlyin conflict,” he stated.
Kagwe cautioned that the tensions associated with the Iran conflict are mostly preventable and may have ripple effects on other economies if left unaddressed. He emphasized the importance of taking proactive steps to protect Kenya’s agricultural sector from possible disruptions.
“The challenge is determining what actions we can implement to reduce adverse effects on our economy, especially within our agricultural sector,” he stated.
The CS stated that teams have been assigned to evaluate the extent of the disruption and create plans to protect the sector. He mentioned that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively engaged in diplomatic and trade interventions to address the crisis.