Kenyan exporters worry over falling share in EU French beans market
Newly-appointed Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya chief executive Hosea Machuki said that despite the country's beans remain the most preferred in the EU market, Morroco and Guatemala are increasingly growing their market share.
He attributed this to proximity and efficiency in production by both countries, while Kenya is grappling with high production and freight cost. The Kenyan beans are also considered overpriced despite superior quality. Morocco produces bobby beans which are considered lower in value than Kenya's which are largely of premium quality.
“If you deduct the cost of production and freight charges from the price per kilo, the farmer is left with something between Sh50 and 110,” Machuki said. “The cost of production in Morocco ranges from Sh10 to Sh15 per kilo and less than Sh15 in Guatemala.”
source: the-star.co.ke
