The EU-EAC Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP) is a regional trade initiative
designed to improve market access for horticultural and agro-industrial products from East African
Community (EAC) countries, which include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi.
This program is funded by the European Union (EU) and is implemented by the International
Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with the EAC Secretariat. MARKUP aims to enhance
compliance with international food safety standards, boost the competitiveness of value chains,
and promote export growth to both EU and regional markets.
In Kenya, the project has concentrated on building capacity for small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs), obtaining quality certification, facilitating trade, and developing value chains
for key export products like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and spices. Additionally, MARKUP supports
the establishment of cold chain logistics and agrologistics infrastructure, which are essential for
preserving the quality of perishable exports.
Implementation Status
- Training & Certification: More than 300 Kenyan SMEs and cooperatives have
undergone technical training on EU food safety standards, including GlobalGAP, HACCP,
and organic certification. This has led to better compliance with Sanitary and Phytosanitary
(SPS) requirements. - Trade Facilitation & B2B Linkages: MARKUP has organized business-to-business
(B2B) matchmaking events and trade missions, successfully connecting Kenyan exporters
with European buyers. - Supply Chain Improvements: The project has made significant investments in cold
storage facilities, packhouses, and training for post-harvest handling, which has helped
reduce post-harvest losses and enhance export efficiency. - Policy & Institutional Support: MARKUP collaborates with Kenyan trade agencies, such as the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and the Kenya Export
Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA), to simplify export documentation and trade
processes.
Key Findings
- Expanded Market Access: Kenyan SMEs involved in MARKUP have seen a 30%
increase in their exports to the EU, especially in niche markets for organic and fair-trade
products. - Enhanced Compliance with EU Standards: Thanks to training and certification support,
the number of GlobalGAP-certified horticultural exporters in Kenya has increased by 35%,
leading to fewer border rejections and bolstering Kenya’s reputation as a trustworthy
supplier. - Increased Export Revenues: Kenyan agro-exporters participating in MARKUP reported
an average revenue boost of 25%, driven by improved product quality, branding, and
direct market connections.
Despite these achievements, many SMEs continue to face challenges such as high certification
costs, logistical inefficiencies, and limited access to financing, which hinder their ability to scale
exports sustainably.