Kenya Pivots to India as EU Pesticide Rules Slash Vegetable Exports to Sh23.4 Billion

Kenya’s vegetable export sector faced a significant setback in 2024, with earnings from fresh vegetable exports to the European Union (EU) plummeting from Sh50.9 billion (€345 million) in 2023 to Sh23.4 billion (€158.8 million), a decline of nearly 54%. According to the 2025 Economic Survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), this sharp drop was driven by stricter EU regulations on Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for pesticide residues, particularly affecting Kenyan beans and peas in pods. Export volumes fell from 164,000 tonnes in 2023 to just 74,000 tonnes in 2024, marking one of the steepest annual declines in recent years. As a result, Kenya is now turning to India as a promising alternative market to cushion the agricultural sector and sustain export growth.

Why the EU Market Shrank

The EU, a key destination for Kenyan vegetables, tightened its pesticide residue regulations in April 2022, setting stringent MRLs to protect human and animal health. These rules, which cover pesticides like lutianil, sulfoxaflor, and cyantraniliprole, led to increased interceptions of Kenyan produce, particularly beans and peas, due to non-compliance. The KNBS reported that these interceptions caused a significant reduction in export volumes, as consignments failing MRL standards were rejected or destroyed at exporters’ cost. This not only resulted in financial losses but also raised the risk of Kenya facing temporary EU market bans until corrective measures are implemented. The Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya has urged farmers to adopt alternative pest management practices, such as biocontrol and organic methods, to meet these standards.

India Emerges as a Key Market

With the EU market becoming more challenging, Kenya has pivoted to India, which has shown growing demand for agricultural products. In 2024, exports of dried leguminous vegetables, such as beans and pigeon peas, to India surged by over 500%, rising from Sh1.31 billion in 2023 to Sh7.88 billion. This growth contributed to a record Sh19.05 billion in total Kenyan exports to India, an 80.85% increase from Sh10.06 billion the previous year. Kenya also began exporting avocados to India in 2024, further diversifying its market. The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) has recognized India’s potential, noting its increasing sophistication and demand for quality produce, though penetrating this market requires targeted marketing strategies.

Challenges in Kenya’s Vegetable Export Sector

The shift to India comes amid several challenges in the vegetable export sector:

• Pesticide Compliance: Strict EU MRLs require farmers to overhaul pest management practices, adopting safer alternatives to avoid further interceptions.
• Climate Variability: Erratic weather, including droughts and floods, reduces vegetable yields, exacerbating supply constraints.
• Market Access: Smallholder farmers face difficulties accessing new markets like India due to logistical and certification barriers.
• Production Costs: High costs of compliant inputs, such as organic pesticides, strain farmers’ budgets, impacting competitiveness.

Kenya’s pivot to India amid the EU’s pesticide regulations marks a turning point for the vegetable export sector. Farmers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses must embrace sustainable practices to thrive in new markets. Explore organic farming solutions at Organic Farm Kenya to support safe, high-quality vegetable production. Together, we can ensure Kenya’s agricultural exports continue to grow, securing food security and economic resilience.