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Britam General Insurance Pays KES 71 million Fire Claim to Limuru Country Club

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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.

Lifestyle

Kenyan fresh produce exporters assure European buyers as logistical challenges persist

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EQUITY GROUP AIRLIFTS 64 SCHOLARS TO GLOBAL UNIVERSITIES

Special Correspondent - August 2, 2018

This brings to 465 the number of scholars who have joined the program since inception. The ELP’s objective is to develop a generation of...

SAFARICOM BOOSTS COAST REGION NETWORK WITH NEW NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURES

Special Correspondent - July 25, 2018

Mombasa, Kenya—Safaricom (NSE: SCOM) has launched two new base stations and expanded Fibre-To-Home connectivity in Coast region as part of its broader strategy to...

HF Group Launches Digital Product Whizz

Special Correspondent - July 24, 2018

HFC has launched a digital financial services platform dubbed “HF Whizz” that is set to accelerate the growth of the bank’s digital banking strategy....

Special Correspondent - July 24, 2018

BLAZE has engaged partners to provide skills training and offer employment opportunities to Kenyan youth Safaricom (NSE: SCOM) has kicked off the third edition...

SAFARICOM FOUNDATION LAUNCHES MATERNAL, NEWBORN AND CHILD HEALTH PROGRAMME IN COAST

Special Correspondent - July 24, 2018

Mombasa, Kenya Residents of the Coast region are set to benefit from a maternal, newborn and child health programme funded by Safaricom Foundation. In...

COCA-COLA UNVEILS SCHWEPPES +C TO THE MARKET

Special Correspondent - July 18, 2018

The Coca-Cola system in Kenya has unveiled a first-of-its kind, lemon-flavoured and sparkly Schweppes +C drink. The carbonated soft drink is in line with the...

Big 4 boost: Alliance Concrete Limited established to boost ready mix concrete availability in...

Special Correspondent - July 18, 2018

Yahoo! Search Sponsored Get Paid For Your Opinion Ready Mix concrete firm Alliance Concrete comes to town Alfred Nganga To Alfred Nganga & 1 more Jul 18 at 9:48 AM 3 attachments Big...

GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING ARTISTES SET TO GRACE SAFARICOM JAZZ 2018/2019 SEASON

Special Correspondent - July 18, 2018

29 YEAR OLD WINS BRAND NEW SUBARU IMPREZA IN THE MULTI-BRAND CONSUMER PROMOTION

Special Correspondent - July 18, 2018

A 29-year-old Information Technology consultant is the winner of the grand prize of a brand new Subaru Impreza in the “Win A Ride...

Top Twitter Users Lose Followers After Policy Change

Special Correspondent - July 13, 2018

Twitter Inc policy change to increase the service’s credibility cost its 100 most popular users about 2 per cent of their followers, on average,...

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