Kenya Railways Boosts Horticulture Exports with Reefer Containers

The horticulture sector, including major exports such as avocados, macadamia nuts, tea, and coffee, can now rely on Kenya Railways for transportation. Freight challenges have persisted for farmers and exporters, especially during events like the Red Sea crisis, which necessitated reevaluating freight options.

With sea freight gaining momentum, Kenya Railways has adapted by investing in refrigerated containers (reefer containers) to support the growing horticulture exports. This initiative aligns with the sector’s push for sustainability, aiming to send up to 50% of horticultural produce, primarily flowers, to export markets by sea freight to mitigate losses experienced earlier this year.

Kenya Railways Managing Director Phillip Mainga announced that the first batch of 20 reefers for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) freight operations will be available by July 14, alongside new passenger service coaches. The initial trial of reefers will occur this month from Naivasha to Mombasa, demonstrating the transportation of perishable goods. Mainga emphasized rail transport’s convenience and lower carbon emissions, encouraging more importers and exporters to use rail by offering volume discounts of 5-15% or more for those with transport agreements.

Kenya Railways highlights the efficiency of timely deliveries, moving cargo from Mombasa to Malaba six times faster by rail than road transport, thanks to the SGR-Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) link at Naivasha. In 2023, cargo volume transported via MGR increased by 27.2% to one million tonnes. The anticipated increase in horticulture volumes is expected to boost SGR freight operations and revenue, with support from the European Union.

According to Kenya Flower Council CEO Clement Tulezi, the horticulture sector plans to ship up to 50% of Kenyan flower exports by sea within seven years. Sea freight requires careful planning and scheduling, with a delivery time of about 30 days, ensuring flowers reach the market in perfect condition. The inclusion of avocados and mangoes in sea shipments further guarantees volume for Kenya Railways.