Kenya shifts to India as EU pesticide rules bite -

By Daisy Okiring

Kenya is turning its focus to India after suffering a sharp decline in vegetable exports to Europe in 2024 due to tougher European Union (EU) regulations on pesticide residues.

According to the 2025 Economic Survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the country’s fresh vegetable exports dropped from Ksh50.9 billion (€345 million) in 2023 to Ksh23.4 billion (€158.8 million) in 2024 — a nearly 54 percent fall. The decline was primarily attributed to increased interceptions of Kenyan beans and peas in pods that exceeded the EU’s Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs).

MRLs are regulatory thresholds set by the European Commission to protect consumers from harmful pesticide exposure in food products. Several consignments of Kenyan vegetables were flagged by EU authorities for violating these limits, leading to immediate rejections and a plunge in shipment volumes. Export quantities fell dramatically from 164,000 tonnes in 2023 to just 74,000 tonnes in 2024.

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“Fresh vegetable earnings recorded a decline mainly due to MRL interceptions. Notifications from the EU concerning high pesticide residue levels in Kenyan produce significantly reduced export volumes,” the KNBS report stated.

As the European market tightens its import standards, Kenya is seeking to diversify its trading partners. India, with its expanding middle class and rising demand for fresh produce, has emerged as a key alternative.

In 2024, Kenya’s exports of dried leguminous vegetables to India surged by more than 500 percent. The country also launched fresh avocado exports to the Indian market, which has shown growing interest in exotic and imported fruits.

The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) has been actively promoting Kenyan produce in Asia, recognizing the strategic value of market diversification.

Despite the setback in the vegetable sector, Kenya’s overall export earnings improved. Total exports rose by 2.8 percent, from Ksh906.32 billion in 2023 to Ksh932.15 billion in 2024. This modest growth was driven by strong performance in tea, coffee, fruits, apparel, edible oils, and jet fuel re-exports.

Still, the loss of nearly Ksh27.5 billion in vegetable revenue underscores the urgency of compliance with international food safety standards and the need for market resilience.