Kenya Targets Major Surge in Agricultural Exports to Georgia as CS Kagwe Secures New Market Pathways for Farmers
Georgia promised to support Kenya with fertilizer supply and work on local blending and production said to cost less and ensure consistent supply to farmers.
Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe . Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Kenya is eyeing a significant expansion in agricultural exports to Georgia, buoyed by an impressive trade performance in 2024 that saw the country ship in produce worth KSh 821 million, against imports of only KSh 58 million. The sharp imbalance in Kenya’s favour has opened a promising window for farmers as the government seeks to firmly anchor the country in emerging markets across the Caucasus region.
Fresh-cut flowers, for the year under review, continued to take the lead in Kenyan exports at KSh 777.8 million, followed by tea, fruits and coffee. Following an upward surge in demand, Kenya is now looking to push its export volumes even further with new pathways into Georgia’s fast-growing agricultural market.
During the high-level bilateral meeting, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe and Georgia’s Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, H.E. David Songulashvili, outlined a bold plan to deepen agricultural trade between the two countries. CS Kagwe averred that Kenya was keen on not just increasing the level and value of exports, but also enhancing the quality through structured market entry, premium packaging and stronger distribution networks across Georgia and neighbouring markets.
“Kenya is pushing to expand access for its top exports to Georgia. With flowers already at KSh 777.8 million, we are looking at exponential growth. Our farmers must benefit from diversified, premium markets,” Kagle said.
To accelerate this growth, the two countries agreed to break down barriers that usually slow down market access. These new measures include expedited SPS approvals, an improved food safety certification process, and the creation of a Kenya–Georgia Joint Working Group focused on opening more markets while safeguarding farmer incomes.
One of the key highpoints of the discussions was Kenya’s move to seek firm supplies of fertilizer in the face of growing unease over overdependence on Ukraine. CS Kagwe pointed out that disturbance in the Eastern European region threatens the very foundation of Kenya’s food production systems. Georgia promised to support Kenya with fertilizer supply and work on local blending and production said to cost less and ensure consistent supply to farmers.
Another major achievement of the partnership involves water and irrigation development. Advanced irrigation and water resource technologies of Georgia will be integrated into ASAL irrigation schemes, solar-powered water systems, and modern greenhouse units. The technologies will help boost farm productivity and strengthen food security, officials have said.
Besides trade, the two countries agreed to collaborate on digital farming tools, precision agriculture, livestock vaccine development, genetic improvement, and joint research with KALRO and Georgian institutions. The introduction of traceability systems and training in SPS according to global standards is also in the pipeline to raise Kenya’s competitiveness in agriculture.
CS Kagwe maintained that Kenya needs to come up with other sources of foods imports, particularly wheat, maize and rice, as geopolitics can easily and badly disrupt supply chains. “Kenya must diversify its food import sources. Alternative partnerships mean security for our people and stability for our farmers,” he said. The ministers agreed to anchor the new partnership with the development of the Kenya–Georgia Agriculture Memorandum of Understanding, which will promote investments and enhance support for agro-processing ventures and logistics, warehousing for agricultural exports. According to Songulashvili, a strategic partner for Kenya in agricultural distribution and market expansion across the region, Georgia looks forward with great interest in partnership co-operation.
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