Murang’a County is set to dispatch two trade delegations to the global arena in a bold move to boost exports of its agricultural produce—coffee, avocado, and tea.
The aim: secure direct international markets and increase earnings for local farmers.
Deputy Governor Stephen Munania will jet off to the United States by the end of the week.
His team is scheduled to engage with potential investors and buyers in Boston and Washington DC this weekend.
At the same time, Governor Irungu Kang’ata is finalising plans for a similar mission to China, where interest in Kenyan coffee and avocado is reportedly on the rise.
Coffee Craze in China Spurs New Hope
Governor Kang’ata emphasised that China’s growing appetite for coffee presents a massive opportunity.
With a population of 1.4 billion and an emerging coffee-drinking culture, China could become a game-changer for Kenya’s coffee exports.
“In China, we aim to market both avocado and coffee,” he told journalists, stressing that Murang’a leads nationally in avocado production.
“Direct access to buyers will raise profits for our farmers,” he added.
To strengthen the mission’s credibility, each delegation will include nominated farmer representatives drawn from cooperative societies.
Their presence is expected to foster better negotiations and understanding of market needs from a grassroots perspective.
Boosting Output and Market Reach
Murang’a’s agricultural sector is a pillar of the local economy, with thousands of residents relying on coffee, tea, and avocado as their primary cash crops.
Kang’ata noted that the county’s position in coffee earnings has improved significantly, moving from fifth to second place nationwide—just behind Kirinyaga.
The region also topped the charts in tea revenue last year, raking in Sh17 billion, and contributed over a third of Kenya’s avocado exports.
Post-Trip Investment Drive
The governor also revealed plans to host an investment conference this June.
The event will bring together manufacturers, processors, and agribusiness stakeholders to explore Murang’a’s potential in value addition and trade.
“We’re creating a platform where ideas and partnerships can flourish, especially in agro-processing,” he said.
Farmers Encouraged to Scale Up
As international market access improves, Kang’ata called on local farmers to expand their production capacity to benefit fully from upcoming opportunities.
He praised the collaborative work of farmer associations and cooperatives in organising and pushing the county’s agricultural agenda forward.
Murang’a continues to position itself not only as a farming powerhouse but also as a strategic export hub in Kenya’s agricultural landscape.
