First commercial shipment opens premium market for smallholder farmers
Nairobi, December 30, 2025 – Kenya Airways Cargo flagged off the country’s first commercial shipment of apple mangoes to the United Kingdom on December 20, marking a watershed moment for Kenya’s horticulture sector and opening a high-value export corridor for thousands of smallholder farmers.
The three-tonne pilot consignment departed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport carrying the distinctive apple mango variety—prized for its round shape, vibrant red blush, and exceptionally sweet, fiberless flesh—arriving in UK markets ahead of peak festive season demand.
The shipment represents the culmination of multi-year efforts to meet the UK’s stringent phytosanitary and food safety standards, positioning Kenya to compete in premium markets traditionally dominated by distant suppliers.
Breaking Barriers Through Partnership
“This pilot shipment demonstrates Kenya’s readiness to meet global standards while strengthening value chains and supporting higher incomes for farmers,” said Kenya Airways Acting Managing Director and CEO Capt. George Kamal during the flag-off ceremony. He credited collaborative partnerships for enabling reliable, competitive access to international markets.
The milestone involved coordinated efforts across public and private sectors, including the Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (CEO Okisegere Ojepat), Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya/FPEAK (CEO Hosea Machuki), TradeMark Africa, Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency, and Kenya Airports Authority.
From Local Favorite to Export Star
Kenya produces over 650,000 tonnes of mangoes annually, with the apple mango variety—grown predominantly in coastal and eastern regions—long favored domestically for its juicy texture and appealing appearance. However, most production has historically served local consumption or lower-premium regional markets.
Breaking into the UK market required overcoming significant technical barriers: implementing rigorous pest control protocols, establishing reliable cold chain infrastructure, and developing traceable packaging systems. The success builds on Kenya’s established reputation in horticulture exports including avocados, cut flowers, and French beans.
Transformative Potential for Farmers
The UK’s premium pricing structure promises direct benefits for producers. Higher market returns are expected to flow back to farmers through improved bonuses and incentives, encouraging investment in quality production practices and post-harvest handling.
“This is how value chains grow—market access drives higher incomes, which reinforces quality standards,” noted industry observers responding to the announcement.
Scaling the Opportunity
With robust winter demand in UK markets and Kenya’s proven production capacity, stakeholders are positioning for rapid volume expansion if the pilot validates commercial viability. Apple mangoes could soon join avocados and cut flowers among Kenya’s top horticultural foreign exchange earners.
The breakthrough underscores Kenya’s evolving role in global fresh produce trade, driven by strategic public-private partnerships and commitment to meeting international quality benchmarks.
As the first shipment cleared Kenyan airspace bound for London, one partner framed the significance simply: “We are linking Kenyan farmers to the world—one premium mango at a time.”