Ghana is considering re-exporting Kenyan mangoes to the EU market during the off-season for mangoes in the western African nation. This action is expected to expand the market for Kenyan growers.

Last week, a delegation of businesspeople was led to Kenya by Davies Korboe, head of the Federation of Association of Ghanaian Exporters, to evaluate the Kenyan mango in preparation for the importation of the fruit.
Before signing bilateral agreements, the group sought information about Kenya’s capacity to serve their market as they sought Kenyan fruit to boost their mango exports.
“We can trade among ourselves where we don’t have mango we can easily access from here when ours is off-season for export to Europe,” stated Korboe.

The Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP), which is backed by the European Union, will teach farmers best practices so they can access the Ghanaian market in light of the strict restrictions Europe has placed on the export of fresh products.
Farmers will receive training on phytosanitary needs as part of the market access initiative to ensure compliance with EU standards.

With the trade agreement, Ghana will become the fourth export destination for local produce after the European Union, United Arab Emirates, and the East African Community. Kenyan growers would export both processed and fresh mangoes to Ghana.

Due to Kenya’s improved phytosanitary measures, the country has seen a significant increase in the demand for its mangoes over the past two years from other nations around the world.

Egyptian mango exporters have been giving Kenya tough competition on the continent, especially to countries in the Middle East, where Egypt’s proximity to other countries lowers shipping costs.

Since then, Kenya has turned its attention to the EU market, even focusing more on switching to mango kinds like Keit and Kent that have a longer shelf life than the apple mango variety that farmers typically plant.

According to data from the Horticultural Crops Directorate, Kenya produces the fourth-most mangoes in Africa, accounting for 0.9 million tonnes, or 1.8 percent of the world’s total production.

The EU purchased 361,587 tonnes of mangoes in 2017, representing a 7% annual growth rate, making it Kenya’s second-highest fruit export after bananas with a value of Sh1.4 billion.