By John Kariuki
Kenya is taking bold steps to strengthen its trade relationship with Iran, with a particular focus on revitalizing agricultural exports. In a significant development, Dr. Kipronoh Rono, CBS, Principal Secretary in the State Department of Agriculture, hosted H.E. Dr. Ali Gholampour, the Iranian Ambassador to Kenya, for a high-level meeting aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation.
The meeting, held earlier today in Nairobi, marked a renewed commitment to fostering trade partnerships between the two nations. Discussions were centered on resuming Kenyan tea and coffee exports to Iran, a market that has remained largely untapped since 2021 due to a combination of trade challenges, logistical hurdles, and regulatory barriers.
Kenyan tea and coffee, globally renowned for their superior quality, were once staples in Iran’s market. However, the disruption in trade created a significant gap, negatively affecting Kenya's agricultural sector and leaving farmers with unsold stock. Recognizing the importance of these exports, both parties acknowledged the urgency of addressing the barriers that have hindered trade and agreed to take deliberate steps to reopen and expand this crucial market.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was a mutual agreement to organize a trade mission to Iran in the coming months. The mission will bring together key stakeholders, including government officials, trade experts, and private sector players, to finalize strategies for enhancing trade. The discussions are expected to cover vital issues such as export logistics, tariff barriers, and the establishment of long-term frameworks for sustainable trade partnerships.
This collaboration is strongly aligned with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, a policy framework championed by the government to boost economic growth through grassroots empowerment. The agenda prioritizes value addition in the agricultural sector, expansion of international markets, and addressing challenges faced by farmers. By restoring tea and coffee exports to Iran, the government aims to tackle the growing issue of unsold stocks, which have impacted the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers across the country.
Dr. Rono underscored the importance of agricultural trade in fostering economic resilience, stating, “Our farmers are the backbone of this nation, and strengthening trade partnerships such as this one with Iran is vital to ensuring they benefit from fair prices and sustainable markets for their produce.”
Ambassador Gholampour also expressed Iran's eagerness to rekindle trade ties with Kenya. “Iran greatly values Kenya as a key trade partner in Africa. By overcoming the challenges of the past, we can create new opportunities that benefit both our nations economically and culturally,” he remarked.
The trade mission will pave the way for the implementation of long-term agreements aimed at stabilizing trade flows, ensuring fair pricing for Kenyan exports, and addressing any remaining trade challenges.
As Kenya and Iran work toward a brighter future in agricultural trade, this renewed partnership is expected to open new economic opportunities, enhance farmer incomes, and contribute to the broader goal of building a resilient and inclusive agricultural value chain. Reacting on the same, The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Tea Development Agency Wilson Muthaura said that KTDA has welcomed the move terming it as progressive. "We in KTDA, welcome this move and we thank the government for the initiative to open once again this huge market of our teas"
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