Kenya gains low-risk status under EU Deforestation Law, easing export concerns 

KENYA – Kenya has been officially classified as a low-risk country under the European Union’s new deforestation regulation, easing compliance concerns for local exporters and enhancing the country’s international trade outlook. 

The announcement was made during a high-level meeting in Nairobi between Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe and EU Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger.  

Ambassador Geiger assured the Cabinet Secretary that Kenya would not be subjected to stringent scrutiny under the new rules. She also emphasised the EU’s commitment to ongoing consultation with partner countries to assess the practical impact of the regulations. 

The classification offers a significant advantage to Kenyan exporters, particularly those in key agricultural sectors such as tea, coffee, and flowers. Reduced documentation requirements and streamlined access to European markets are expected to lower trade barriers and reduce compliance costs. 

Agriculture CS Kagwe welcomed the development and highlighted the country’s progress in environmental sustainability, particularly through increased tree cover driven by the expansion of crops like avocado and coffee.  

He cautioned, however, against abrupt regulatory changes that could undermine Kenya’s market competitiveness.  

“If you must shift the goalpost, provide support,” Kagwe stated, noting the increased cost burden of recent compliance mandates, including the False Codling Moth (FCM) Systems Approach Protocol for rose exports. 

The low-risk classification not only relieves exporters but also strengthens Kenya’s investment profile. The move is likely to attract foreign investment into green value chains and climate-resilient agriculture, areas that are gaining prominence globally. 

Kenya’s trade relationship with the EU remains robust, with exports hitting Ksh450 billion in 2023. The EU is Kenya’s largest export destination, supported by duty- and quota-free access under the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement that came into force on July 1, 2024. 

Beyond trade regulations, CS Kagwe outlined Kenya’s broader agricultural goals, which focus on food self-sufficiency, reducing imports of key commodities such as rice and wheat, and ensuring effective utilization of donor funds. 

Meanwhile, the Coffee Directorate shared updates on its nationwide geo-mapping of coffee farms, a project aimed at enhancing traceability and aligning Kenya’s coffee industry with international sustainability and compliance standards.

The coffee geo-mapping project was initiated in October 2024 with the goal of providing accurate and current information on Kenya’s coffee industry following a successful trial run in Kiambu County.

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