Kenyan auditor Africert has obtained provisional accreditation as a EurepGAP certification company.
The development was welcomed by Steve New, director of Kenya’s Horticulture Development Centre (HDC). “Exporters and growers now have a local company, approved by their European buyers through the EurepGAP committee, which can carry out audits more cost-effectively than bringing in European or South African-based firms.
“This is indicative of the many public and private sector efforts which have been directed at the need to meet new standards in Europe for Kenya’s fresh produce exports.”
The Kenyan ministry of agriculture, in conjunction with national and international trade and government organisations, have provided much-needed support to the private sector. “Six months ago there seemed to be a danger that Kenya would be losing significant market share because of the inability of small-scale farmers to meet the new trade conditions and EU regulations,” said New. “Now there is a new mood of optimism and encouraging progress has been made towards implementation of improved standards.
“Although only a small proportion of smallholders have actually gained certification so far, many have been trained and the numbers of certified growers should start to increase rapidly in future if current levels of technical assistance and private sector investment continue.”
