President William Ruto has outlined a long list of countries Kenya is targeting as part of a drive to expand coffee exports and secure new markets for coffee farmers.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Speaking during the launch of the Coffee Revival Programme in Kirinyaga County on Monday, June 22, Ruto said the government is pursuing both domestic consumption and international market expansion that will boost earnings to coffee farmers.

"As we enhance the internal market, we are focusing on exports because that is where we will sell in large numbers. Ruto stated.

According to the Head of State, he has engaged several countries and trading blocs to remove barriers that have limited access for Kenyan coffee and other agricultural products.

📌 What You Need to Know

He cited his recent state visit to South Africa as a key breakthrough after the South African government announced the removal of excise duties on agricultural products, a move he said would help Kenya increase exports to the southern African market.

Besides South Africa, Ruto has also engaged the Belgian government, which he described as the largest consumer of Kenyan coffee.

In the same note, Kenya and the European Union have agreed to work towards removing trade barriers under the Economic Partnership Agreement framework by the end of the year, potentially opening up wider opportunities across the EU market.

"Right now belgium is the largest consumer of our coffee. I talked with them and agreed with the european union through the economic partnership programme that we signed, we agreed that barriers that blocked us from selling our goods to EU which includes 28 nations are removed and we agredd to remove the barriers by the end of this year," he added.

The president further disclosed that he used his recent international engagements during the G7 Summit to lobby for greater access to markets in Asia.

During the summit held in France, Ruto revealed that discussions with the President of South Korea focused on reducing duties imposed on Kenyan coffee, with both countries exploring the possibility of a free trade agreement.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke