For perishables like flowers and fresh produce, maintaining quality from the farm to the market is essential. Any break in the cold chain during transport undermines the benefits of pre-cooling done at the farm, leading to reduced shelf life, quality loss, and financial setbacks for growers.
Despite Kenya’s reputation as a leading exporter of fresh produce, cold chain infrastructure at the farm level remains patchy, particularly for smallholder farmers. While large commercial farms have invested in their own cold storage facilities, most small-scale growers lack access to similar resources.
As a result, smallholder farmers often depend on aggregation centers to keep their produce fresh before transportation to airports or local markets. However, limited capacity and uneven distribution of these centers mean that much of the country’s valuable perishable produce is still exposed to temperature fluctuations, threatening both quality and market competitiveness.
Industry stakeholders have emphasized the need for improved cold chain solutions at the grassroots level to secure Kenya’s position in the global market and protect growers from unnecessary losses.
The key hurdles and their impact on agribusiness across the continent.
Knowledge Gaps in Post-Harvest Handling
A lack of technical knowledge and awareness about cold chain management also contributes to post-harvest losses. Many growers are unfamiliar with best practices for harvesting, handling, and storing perishable goods. As a result, produce is often stored under suboptimal conditions, accelerating spoilage and reducing market value. Training and capacity-building initiatives are needed to equip growers with the skills necessary for effective cold chain operations.
Limited Access to Cold Storage Facilities
One of the most pressing challenges for smallholder growers is the lack of affordable and accessible cold storage infrastructure. Most small-scale growers operate in rural areas where cold storage facilities are either unavailable or too costly to use. As a result, perishable produce such as fruits, vegetables and flowers often spoils before it can reach consumers. This not only reduces growers’ income but also contributes to food waste and market inefficiencies.
High Energy Costs and Unreliable Power Supply
Reliable energy is essential for operating cold storage systems. Unfortunately, many rural regions across Africa experience frequent power outages or lack electricity altogether. Where electricity is available, high energy costs, particularly from diesel-powered generators make it difficult for small-scale growers to afford continuous cold storage. This situation forces many producers to operate without proper refrigeration, further increasing post-harvest losses.
Inadequate Transport Infrastructure
Even where cold storage solutions exist, poor road conditions and limited refrigerated transport options pose another challenge. Many rural roads are difficult to navigate, especially during rainy seasons, causing delays that compromise the quality of perishable goods. The absence of affordable cold transport options means produce often deteriorates before reaching urban markets, reducing growers’ earnings and undermining consumer confidence.
Financial Constraints and Limited Investment Opportunities
Developing cold chain infrastructure requires significant capital, which is beyond the reach of many smallholder growers. Access to credit is often restricted due to high interest rates, lack of collateral, and stringent borrowing requirements. Without financial support, growers struggle to invest in storage facilities, cooling equipment, or refrigerated vehicles, limiting their ability to improve supply chain efficiency.
Limited Market Access and Supply Chain Linkages
Even when growers manage to preserve the quality of their produce, they often struggle to find reliable markets that value and pay premiums for cold-stored products. Traditional markets frequently lack the infrastructure to handle refrigerated goods, and supply chain linkages between rural growers and large buyers remain weak. Strengthening market access through cooperatives, digital platforms, and agribusiness partnerships is crucial to ensure growers receive fair returns for their efforts.
The Growing Threat of Climate Change
Climate change has added a new layer of complexity to cold chain logistics. Rising temperatures increase the risk of food spoilage, while unpredictable weather patterns disrupt harvest schedules and storage plans. To cope with these challenges, the agricultural sector must invest in climate-smart cold chain technologies, including energy-efficient cooling systems and advanced temperature monitoring tools. These innovations can help smallholder growers safeguard their produce, reduce losses, and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
To address this, there is growing industry consensus on the need for public-private partnerships to invest in solar-powered cold storage units and expand access to refrigerated transport. Strengthening these systems will be vital to safeguarding the country’s fresh produce exports and supporting growers at every level.