By Shadrack Nyakoe
The trade relationship between Kenya and the Netherlands has seen remarkable growth, especially in the export of horticultural products via sea freight.
Netherlands Ambassador to Kenya, Henk Jan Bakker, emphasized the mutual benefits of enhancing Kenya’s sea freight capacity during a courtesy visit to Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director, Captain William Ruto.
Last year, Kenya and the Netherlands signed an agreement to create the Cool Logistics Corridor, a specialized sea freight system for fresh produce.
Ambassador Bakker reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to strengthening trade ties and exploring reliable sea freight solutions for perishable goods.
He was joined by officials from TradeMark Africa.
Horticultural products make up over 70% of Kenya’s exports to the Netherlands, with 65% of the country’s cut flowers shipped to this market.
Additionally, there are growing opportunities for the export of mangoes, avocados, and pineapples.
Captain Ruto highlighted KPA’s investments to facilitate fresh produce exports, including a priority lane for trucks transporting horticultural goods to the port and an increased number of reefer points at the Port of Mombasa and the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Nairobi.
He also mentioned KPA’s collaboration with Kenya Railways to provide reefer wagons for transporting horticultural products via the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), with plans to develop a reliable train schedule for the movement of fresh produce to the port.