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

Staff Writer - February 13, 2025

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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Why Posta Kenya Needs to Innovate

Staff Writer - May 7, 2019

Postal Corporations across the globe are innovating to stay relevant in a fast evolving industry. It’s no secret; mail volumes, the mainstay of the...

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Elizabeth Nyaguthii: Green Grocer With a Midas Touch

Staff Writer - May 7, 2019

The visionary entrepreneur appreciates the role of banks in financing businesses By Jeff Korir and Amos Wachira What started as a small venture has turned into...

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Henry Kariuki: Real Estate Developer With a Big Dream

Staff Writer - May 7, 2019

With Caritas microfinance bank, he believes he can build his dream, and a future By Jeff Korir When Henry Kariuki inherited a few rental houses from...

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Primed for Growth

Staff Writer - May 7, 2019

The winning strategy of Caritas Microfinance Bank By Amos Wachira Caritas microfinance bank entered the market at the worst of times. A banking crisis was unfolding,...

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Give Me My Mountain

Staff Writer - May 7, 2019

Author: Esther Muchemi Pages: 159 Price: Ksh1,450 There’s no denying; Esther Muchemi is one of the most successful women entrepreneurs in Kenya. She is a seasoned business...

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“I thirst for greatness beyond what I can perceive”- Esther Muchemi

Staff Writer - May 7, 2019

Hustle East Africa interviews Esther Muchemi, the Chief Executive Officer of Samchi Group of Companies. She shares her thoughts on entrepreneurship, wealth creation, youth mentorship...

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Esther Muchemi’s Midas Touch

Staff Writer - May 7, 2019

From a single shop, she has built a business conglomerate with interests in microfinance, real estate and hospitality By Amos Wachira For 18 years, Esther Muchemi...

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Five commandments of entreprenuership

Special Correspondent - February 11, 2019

Entrepreneurship creates wealth and value for the entrepreneur and society at large, and fulfils a market need. While the urge to set up a...

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Young Scientists Kenya launches second science competition in Kitui

Special Correspondent - January 28, 2019

Young Scientists Kenya (YSK) has partnered with the Ministry of Education, the Embassy of Ireland and BLAZE by Safaricom, among other partners, to...

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OPPO UNVEILS A7 SMARTPHONE WITH A HUGE BATTERY AND A TRENDY...

Special Correspondent - December 11, 2018

Uniquely positioned for the Kenyan market, the introduction of OPPO A7 is one of the few devices to drop in the market and offer...

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