Export market for Fresh Onion in Kenya (11월, 2022)

Seed companies in Kenya are facing a significant challenge due to the competitive advantage of Tanzania's tomato and onion seed production. The lower cost of production in Tanzania, aided by the absence of a 16% duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) on vegetable seeds, has resulted in cheaper vegetables from Tanzania flooding the Kenyan market. This has negatively impacted the Kenyan seed industry, which is worth Sh15 billion. The Seed Trade Association of Kenya (STAK) is engaging the government to discuss the possibility of exempting duty on vegetable seeds to help Kenyan farmers compete. Additionally, STAK is promoting the local development of seeds to reduce reliance on imports and lower the cost of production.