Mombasa, Kenya – The port of Mombasa is experiencing a significant rise in fresh produce exports from Uganda and Tanzania, driven by improved cold chain infrastructure and a shift towards sea freight.
This 6% year-on-year increase translates to 6,813 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of fruits and vegetables shipped through Mombasa. A key factor in this growth is the installation of 1,367 new reefer plugging points at the port, allowing for efficient temperature control of refrigerated containers.
This initiative aligns with the $380 million Business Environment and Export Enhancement Programme, implemented by TradeMark Africa. The program aims to reduce emissions associated with fresh produce transportation, with sea freight offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to air travel. European consumers, increasingly focused on sustainability, have played a role in driving this shift.
“Kenya started transporting horticultural produce by sea to reduce its carbon footprint and improve earnings,” said Captain William Ruto, Managing Director of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA). “This follows an agreement with the European Union, a major export destination, to utilize sea freight after Mombasa port met the necessary requirements last year.”
The improved infrastructure extends beyond the port itself. The KPA has also installed reefer plugging points at inland container depots (ICDs) in Nairobi and Naivasha, further streamlining the cold chain logistics network.
“We have seen a rise in demand from Ugandan and Tanzanian exporters, and we’ve responded by increasing our reefer capacity,” said Capt. Ruto. “These exporters are given priority access to our port facilities, including scanners, to ensure efficient delivery of their perishable goods.”
For exporters like Hasit Shah, CEO of Vertical Agro (EPZ) Ltd, the switch to sea freight has been a boon. “Refrigerated containers and port plugging points have been a game-changer,” said Shah. “We can now transport larger volumes of produce at significantly lower costs.”
The global cold chain logistics market is booming, projected to reach $343.75 billion by 2027. Maersk Eastern Africa is capitalizing on this trend, investing in cold chain infrastructure to attract more regional traders. “The introduction of refrigerated containers and the expansion of plugging points at Mombasa port have created a more attractive option for East African exporters,” said Karen Rono, Head of Integrated Sales Cold Chain for Maersk Eastern Africa.
