Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has begun a week-long mission in the United States aimed at securing direct market access for Kenyan agricultural products. The effort is focused on expanding opportunities for tea, macadamia nuts, and other exports.
What deals are being pursued in the U.S. market?
CS Kagwe and his delegation have already held discussions with Walmart, the retail giant that operates more than 40,000 outlets across the U.S. The talks explored ways to position Kenyan produce directly on American shelves, cutting middlemen and raising farmer incomes.
The Macnut Association of Kenya (MACNUT) CEO Jane Maigua highlighted the country’s edge in macadamia production. She explained that Kenyan nuts are naturally grown without chemicals, sourced from more than 200,000 smallholder farmers, and currently enjoy a 10 percent duty compared to South Africa’s 30 percent. According to Maigua, the reliable supply and globally recognized buttery taste profile make Kenyan macadamia highly appealing to U.S. buyers.
How is Kenyan tea being marketed abroad?
Leaders from the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), Geoffrey Kirundi and Wilson Muthaura, pitched Kenya’s ability to package tea at source, which guarantees freshness, traceability, and stronger returns for farmers. Kenya, already the world’s largest exporter of black tea, is now pushing value-added varieties including green, orthodox, and purple tea. The latter, a Kenyan innovation, has drawn global attention for its health benefits and premium pricing.
Which partnerships are being explored?
The delegation’s program includes meetings with the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Agriculture, the Governor of South Carolina, and private sector players. In South Carolina, CS Kagwe led talks with Milo’s Tea Company, America’s leading iced tea producer, joined by KTDA executives, Ketepa, Kipchimchim Tea, and Phylis Kandie, advisor to the President on Commodities Market Development. The discussions focused on growing Kenya’s share of U.S. tea imports, which currently stand at only 2 percent.
The mission will also feature participation in the North America Tea Conference, where Kenya’s sustainable practices will be showcased. Overall, the visit signals Kenya’s strong push for direct-to-shelf exports, sustainable supply chains, and better earnings for farmers.
By Lucky Anyanje