Kenya’s Makueni County seeks US market access for organic mangoes
For Makueni, organic mangoes could be a high-value crop if the county can meet certification and supply-chain requirements at scale.
KENYA – The County Government of Makueni has begun seeking new markets for organic mango growers, with efforts underway to establish links with buyers in the United States, according to county officials.
County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, Japheth Mang’oka, said the county is working with the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) to map growers already practising organic cultivation.
The initiative aims to establish a system that connects growers, processors and offtakers, according to Mang’oka.
Discussions also cover increasing the number of growers transitioning from conventional to organic mango cultivation while meeting organic management standards and certification requirements, the county said.
Consequently, authorities are encouraging traditional farmers to adopt certified organic methods to meet strict international standards.
Meanwhile, EPZA, led by General Manager for Operations and Investor Support Alice Atogo, has identified Freeze Dry as a potential offtaker, the agency said. The processing enterprise has indicated it is willing to support growers in meeting organic certification requirements, aiming to enable Makueni organic mangoes to access export markets.
The partnership between the county government and EPZA focuses on identifying agricultural producers and building a functional supply chain connecting growers with industrial processors.
Moreover, certification remains a key requirement for accessing the US market, with organic standards and traceability systems forming part of the compliance process that growers must meet.
The initiative reflects growing interest among Kenyan counties in pursuing direct export routes for value-added agricultural products, particularly in horticulture. For Makueni, organic mangoes could be a high-value crop if the county can meet certification and supply-chain requirements at scale.
County officials have not disclosed the volume of mangoes expected to be exported or the timeline for the first shipments. The collaboration with Freeze Dry is expected to provide growers with technical support and market linkages as the county formalises its organic mango supply chain.
Makueni’s efforts align with the broader national interest in expanding horticultural exports, particularly for products that can command higher prices through organic certification and value addition.
Lastly, similar county-level initiatives have emerged across Kenya as devolved governments seek to leverage local agricultural strengths for international trade, though certification costs and supply-chain coordination remain barriers for smallholder growers targeting US markets.
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