Eastern Africa's horticulture industry is being encouraged to prioritize logistics, cold-chain infrastructure, and trade facilitation as strategic investments. This approach aims to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance the region's competitiveness in global markets. Stakeholders at a recent Regional Public-Private Dialogue on Horticultural Logistics and Trade Facilitation in Nairobi emphasized the need for an integrated system that protects produce from farm to market.
The perishable nature of horticultural products makes efficiency throughout the supply chain critical. HoCEA Chairperson Dr. Jacqueline Mkindi noted that delays at borders, inadequate cooling, congested logistics systems, or lengthy procedures can quickly deteriorate the commercial value of these products. The dialogue, held alongside the launch of the Horticulture Council of Eastern Africa (HoCEA), brought together governments, national horticulture associations, exporters, logistics operators, and development partners.
Horticultural products require a different approach than durable commodities due to their perishability. Dr. Mkindi stressed that these products cannot withstand delays like manufactured goods. The solution involves strengthening every link in the supply chain, from collection centers and cold storage to transport, market infrastructure, and farmers' capacity to meet market requirements.
Post-harvest losses in the horticultural value chain are estimated to range from 30 to 80 percent in some parts of Eastern Africa. Reducing these losses will require investments in cold-storage facilities, modern aggregation centers, and refrigerated transport. Stakeholders advocate for a distributed network of cold-chain investments linking farms, collection centers, processing facilities, and ports.
The Northern Corridor is expected to play a crucial role in this strategy, connecting production and trading centers in Eastern Africa with the Port of Mombasa. Government representatives have called for increased investment in climate-smart cold storage and refrigerated capacity along the corridor and at inland logistics facilities.
Digitalization is also seen as a practical way to reduce delays in the horticultural supply chain. Electronic cargo tracking, paperless documentation, and digital certification can improve cargo visibility and allow authorities and businesses to identify bottlenecks. HoCEA and development partners like TradeMark Africa emphasize the need for efficient, inclusive, and climate-resilient trade systems.
Another solution being explored is a gradual shift from air freight to sea freight for horticultural products that can withstand longer transit times. However, stakeholders caution that such a transition must be commercially viable, requiring dependable cold chains, efficient ports, and reliable temperature monitoring. Clement Tulezi, Secretary General of HoCEA, stressed that regional integration must ultimately be measured by what businesses experience on the ground.
Key points
- Eastern Africa's horticulture industry must prioritize logistics and cold-chain infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses.
- The region aims to develop an integrated system that protects produce from farm to market.
- Digitalization and a shift from air freight to sea freight are being explored as solutions to reduce delays and costs.
