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Kakuzi MD Chris Flowers assures international buyers that local stakeholders are working in concert to manage the prevailing logistical disruptions arising from geopolitical tensions 07/02…A Kenyan business leader in the fresh produce sector has assured global buyers that the country is working hard to overcome the unique logistical and shipping challenges brought about by the Middle East Conflict. Speaking at the opening of this year’s Fruit Logistica 2025 trade show in Berlin, Germany, Kakuzi Plc Managing Director Mr Chris Flowers assured global buyers that local producers, exporters, shipping firms and the Government of Kenya agencies are working in concert to manage the prevailing logistical disruptions arising from geopolitical tensions. Mr Flowers acknowledged that the tensions have significantly impacted national competitiveness and threatens the survival of agribusiness players in Kenya due to logistical and supply chain problems caused by the effective closure of the Suez Canal and the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden’s general route to European markets. He expressed regret that from a low of 30 to 35 days, shipments to Europe now take more than 50 days to reach the crucial market. “However, I can assure you that all stakeholders, including Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, are working together to ensure that our produce reaches the European market on time and in good quality,” Mr Flowers said on the sidelines of Fruit Logistica 2025, the world’s leading trade show for the fresh produce business. At the same time, Mr Flowers assured the key buyers that Kakuzi, among other leading export firms, is working closely with the Kenyan Phytosanitary authorities to curb the export of immature fruit through maturity testing services and enhanced surveillance. To alleviate the plight of Kenyan exporters, Mr Flowers acknowledged that Kakuzi's key shipping partners are working round the clock to develop faster routes to Europe. However, he reemphasized that every day counts, further reducing logistics times is critical. "We all need to put our heads together and rescue any Country bottleneck that exists," he said. Last year, the geopolitical unrest in the Middle East introduced new risks to this critical maritime route through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden. Incidents such as attacks on shipping vessels have raised security concerns and led to significant disruptions in marine traffic flow. In response, shipping companies, wary of potential threats to their assets and crew, have opted for alternative routes despite the longer journey times and higher costs, negatively impacting fresh produce exporters’. To reach Europe, Ships ferrying fresh produce such as Avocados have been travelling from Mombasa to the port of Salala in Oman. In Oman, the containers of avocados are transferred onto another larger ship, which then travels around the Cape of Good Hope and into Europe. In Europe, the containers are trans-shipped at Algeciras Port, southern Spain, moved to Northern Europe via Rotterdam or Felixstowe, and arrive near ripe. Mr Flowers noted that starting in February 2025, one of the major shipping lines will bypass Algeciras Port and head directly to Rotterdam from Salala. This has the potential to save precious days, he noted. This year, Fruit Logistica 2025 is featuring an outstanding programme of events. Over 100 experts, invited exhibitors, including Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority - Horticultural Crops Directorate, and trade visitors, are meeting in Berlin to discuss the latest trends and forward-looking concepts. Fruit Logistica 2025 covers the entire value chain of the fresh fruit and vegetable trade, from the point of seed to the point of sale. With over 2,600 exhibitors from more than 90 countries in 26 exhibition halls, the trade fair is an indispensable meeting place for the fresh fruit industry. Fruit Logistica 2025 has welcomed a record-breaking number of Smart Agri exhibitors, showcasing cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of agriculture. The Smart Agri exhibition area features 36 pioneering exhibitors from 18 countries, marking a significant increase over last year. These exhibitors will present Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology for estimating fruit yields, farm management and quality control software, sustainable and precise irrigation solutions, data-driven precision pollination, drones revolutionising agriculture, and much more.

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Kenyan fresh produce exporters assure European buyers as logistical challenges persist

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Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) acquires inaugural US$300 million facility from Export-Import Bank of China

Special Correspondent - October 11, 2018

The facility from CEXIM marks AFC’s inaugural financing facility from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) BEIJING, China, October 10, 2018/ -- Africa Finance Corporation...

ICIPE launches 1.1 MW Solar PV plants

Special Correspondent - October 6, 2018

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) has officially commissioned two solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants — at its Duduville Campus headquarters...

African Development Bank seeks partnerships to lift 1 billion people out of hunger globally

Special Correspondent - September 27, 2018

“We must not get carried away: we are not winning the war against global hunger” INDIANAPOLIS, United States of America The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org)...

Nutrition Africa Investor Forum to help raise finance for high-impact nutrition businesses in the...

Special Correspondent - September 27, 2018

Nutrition Africa Investor Forum (NAIF) is a first-of-a-kind event, hosted by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), in partnership with Royal DSM, the...

Safaricom To Host Jazz In The Park Concert

Special Correspondent - September 27, 2018

Five-time Grammy winner Diane Reeves and Kenya’s AdHoc to headline Naivasha show This year’s Safaricom Jazz lounge will feature an additional show at...

Tuskys launches premium multi-brand consumer electronics departmental store

Special Correspondent - September 27, 2018

Local retailer, Tusker Mattresses, has moved to enhance its service offering in the premium market category, with the scheduled launch of a dedicated...

Gender gaps in African agriculture are holding back progress

Special Correspondent - September 27, 2018

NEW YORK, United States of America ender gaps in agriculture in Africa are holding back progress towards ending hunger and must be urgently addressed, the...

The Status Quo is Unacceptable: It’s time to normalize the narratives on African Migration,...

Special Correspondent - September 25, 2018

Noting that charity begins at home, the experts called on African leaders to reverse the growing global trend towards “securitization of migration,” by acting...

GROHE Smart Home: The App-Controlled Water Security System

Special Correspondent - September 25, 2018

GROHE ONDUS app – the technology’s heart that creates a water profile Smart Home technology provides protection of and comfort in your home; GROHE (GROHE.com)...

Africa’s Oil Sector Continues to Rebound and Strengthen its Voice Through the African Energy...

Special Correspondent - September 25, 2018

Record membership and solids fundraising for the African Energy Chamber in August and September 2018; Local content push with Senegalese Prime Minister Mahammed Dionne ...

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