Over 90 percent of Kenya’s horticulture produce is presently transported to global markets via air freight, which is more expensive, more carbon intensive, and transports much less when compared to sea freight.
By Edward Githae
Amid growing concerns that horticulture exports contribute significantly to carbon emissions, Kenya Railways has mid this week announced the introduction of reefer wagons as part of the roll out of a programme to shift the transportation of produce to the key European market from air freight to sea freight over the next 10 years.
The programme is being implemented by TradeMark East Africa, with the support from the European Union being part of the Business Environment and Export Enhancement Programme, a five year, $27.6 million initiative. The initiative’s overall goal is to enhance the competitiveness and raise the share of exports of Kenyan avocados, mangoes and vegetables to Europe and other international markets.
In a press statement, the first rolling stock of 50 refrigerated containers, also known as reefer wagons left the Naivasha Inland Container Depot on Wednesday, October 19, with horticultural produce for shipment to the Mombasa port.
A reefer wagon is a refrigerated railway wagon with cooling equipment to keep perishable produce fresh. The wagons, which were unveiled in the presence of Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, were a product of a government initiative aimed at facilitating transportation of fresh produce in Kenya and within the East African region. The high-profile delegation was hosted by Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir. Other prominent figures present at the event included Trade and Investments Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, and Transport Principal Secretary Mohammed Daghar.
The presence of the Dutch royalty could be pointed towards the recent signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Kenya and the Netherlands in the areas of trade, tourism and agriculture.
One of Africa’s leading horticulture exporters, the programme will see at least 50 percent of produce from Kenya transported by sea over the course of the programme. The plan is led by the Netherlands and supported by Denmark and the European Union (EU).
The shift is designed not only at making transportation of Kenya’s horticulture produce sustainable by cutting down on the industry’s carbon footprint, but is also expected to drastically cut down on the cost of exports. Kenya’s main horticulture exports include vegetables, fruits and cut flowers. While vegetables account for the largest shipment volume, flowers, primarily sold in Europe, generate the bulk of the revenue. The country earned 137 billion shillings (about 1.06 billion U.S. dollars) from horticulture exports in 2024, down from 1.21 billion dollars in 2023.
Kenya Railways revealed that the new wagons were meant to improve the transportation of fresh produce to the port of Mombasa before heading to Europe.
“KR has introduced Reefer wagons deployed to facilitate transportation of perishable cargo,” the Kenya Railways managing director Philip Mainga said, adding that the corporation aims to deploy more than 500 reefer wagons in the next three months.
“Fresh produce/perishables can now be collected from various Fresh Produce Consolidation Centres, transported via rail to the Port of Mombasa for onward transportation via sea to Europe,” Mainga added.
A refrigerated container or reefer is an intermodal container (shipping container) used in intermodal freight transport that is capable of refrigeration for the transportation of temperature-sensitive, perishable cargo such as fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, seafood, and other similar items. Each of the wagons has a capacity of at least 70 tonnes, enabling movement of heavy containerised cargo.
While a reefer will have an integral refrigeration unit, they rely on external power, from electrical power points (“reefer points”) at a land-based site, a container ship or on quay. When being transported over the road on a trailer or over rail wagon, they can be powered from diesel powered generators (“gen sets”) which attach to the container whilst on road journeys. Refrigerated containers are capable of controlling temperature ranging from −65 °C (−85 °F) up to 40 °C (104 °F).
Decarbonisation
Consumers in Europe are on the frontline of pushing for decarbonisation of the cold chain for fresh produce. Although several large companies have started using sea freight for the export of flowers, vegetables and fruits, the sector is aiming for a larger shift with shipping companies like MSC, Maersk and Hapag Lloyd positioning themselves to partner with Kenya.
Currently, over 90 percent of Kenya’s horticulture produce is transported to global markets by air, which is more expensive, more carbon intensive, and transports much less when compared to sea freight.
Studies have shown that air freight constitutes about 2.5 percent of global carbon emissions, despite ferrying just one percent of total global cargo. In contrast, sea freight produces about 2.9 percent of carbon emissions and accounts for over 80 percent of global trade by volume and 70 percent by value.
“This development is as a result of the Kenyan government’s commitment to creating a Cool Logistics Corridor facilitating transportation of fresh farm produce/perishables to and from the East African region and Kenya’s hinterland, a move that will greatly boost the horticulture sector,” noted KR.
These reefer wagons are equipped with GPS tracking, automated alerts, and energy-efficient technologies such as solar-assisted power, reducing both costs and environmental impact. Additionally, advanced security measures, including biometric access and fire suppression systems, ensure enhanced cargo safety.
Reefer wagons cost between $100,000 (Ksh12M) and $1,000,000, (Ksh129M) with significant operational expenses. Despite the high investment, they are crucial for cold chain logistics, ensuring safe and efficient transportation of sensitive goods worldwide.
Win-win option
“Sea freight is viable and a win-win option for all as Kenya gears to increase its volume of exports by 50 percent by year 2030. It is a more sustainable alternative, less expensive and has an enormous carrying capacity,” Allen Sophia Asiimwe, TradeMark Africa Deputy CEO was quoted as saying in a past interview.
Last year, MSC highlighted its desire to be a major African partner in horticulture exports by providing reliable transportation services, including advanced and modern reefer containers to maintain fruit quality for longer periods and direct service to ensure short transit times.
