The Green Channels Project is a strategic initiative designed to improve the efficiency of
agrologistics for fresh produce exports from Kenya. This project aims to streamline customs
clearance, enhance cold chain logistics, and expedite export documentation for perishable items
like fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Led by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA),
Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), and Kenya Flower Council (KFC), the initiative collaborates with
development organizations such as TradeMark Africa (TMA) and the European Union (EU). The
main goal of the project is to reduce delays at customs checkpoints, decrease post-harvest
losses, and ensure that Kenyan horticultural exports meet international market standards.
Implementation Status
- Fast-Track Clearance System: The project has set up designated ‘Green Channel’
clearance lanes at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and selected border points,
enabling pre-inspected and certified goods to bypass the usual inspection queues. - Integrated Digital Systems: The introduction of Electronic Phytosanitary Certification
(ePhyto) and automated risk-based inspections has minimized manual involvement in the
clearance process. - Cold Chain Infrastructure Enhancement: Investments in modern refrigerated storage
facilities at JKIA and Mombasa Port have reduced temperature fluctuations and improved
the quality of fresh produce at export locations. - Capacity Building for Exporters: Training programs for farmers, exporters, and logistics
service providers have been implemented to ensure compliance with Good Agricultural
Practices (GAP) and traceability standards.
Key Findings
- Reduced Export Clearance Time: The Green Channels Project has successfully
shortened customs clearance from 48 hours to less than 12 hours, greatly minimizing
delays in the shipping of perishable goods. - Lower Rejection Rates in EU Markets: The implementation of ePhyto and enhanced
quality control measures has led to a reduction in export rejection rates related to noncompliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations. - Increased Export Volumes: Kenya’s fresh produce exports through the Green Channels
system have risen by 20%, providing advantages to both smallholder farmers and larger
exporters.
Despite these advancements, challenges such as inconsistent enforcement of risk-based
inspections, occasional downtimes in digital systems, and the necessity for improved cold chain
capacity continue to pose significant obstacles.