lowereas
Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has stepped up efforts to restore Kenya’s mango export market in Oman following a high-level engagement with the Sultanate of Oman’s Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Nasra Salim Mohamed Alhashmi. The meeting focused on resolving phytosanitary concerns, particularly mango weevil infestation, which led to the suspension of Kenyan mango imports into Oman, with the aim of restoring market access for local farmers.
Governor Mutula presented a proposal to source mango exports from Makueni’s more than 4,000 hectares of low-pest-pressure production zones, with traceability measures to ensure compliance with international phytosanitary standards. The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) confirmed the existence of recognised pest-free production zones in the county, while the Omani Embassy welcomed the proposal, citing strong demand for Kenyan mangoes, particularly the Makueni Apple variety, in the Middle East.
The Governor committed to engaging the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to address outstanding concerns and develop a coordinated action plan to operationalise the proposed export model. The initiative is expected to reopen the Omani market for Kenyan mangoes, expand export opportunities for Makueni farmers and strengthen trade relations between Kenya and Oman.
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