The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has announced mandatory registration for all marketers selling mangoes in the country.

Kenya is a renowned international exporting region of mangoes, serving the Middle East, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Italy among other markets.

In a statement, the AFA said the directive was crucial to strengthening Kenya’s mango exports to international markets.

With the directive set to come into force on October 28, 2024, the AFA, in collaboration with the Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD), has called on all marketers to register with the competent authority.

The authority requires all mango growers, exporters and processors to deal only with registered marketing agents. This follows complaints from mango growers due to neglect of payments by some marketers.

“In view of the upcoming export season of the market and following complaints from farmers regarding non-payment of produce collected by some traders, the Authority plans to register marketing agents who deal with mangoes, in order to streamline the export fruit trade,” Linyiru said.

“In this regard, notice is hereby issued to all marketing agents dealing in mangoes, that they are required to register with the online authority at AFA-IMIS (www.imis.afa .go.ke). Online registration is continuous,” he added.

The registration procedure is provided in the various AFA offices.

The Directorate of Horticultural Crops will have its registration site at the Horticultural Center in Nairobi, Kibwezi, Machakos, Kitui, Yatta, Elgeyo Marakwet and Mombasa.

The authority has advised farmers to supply their mango products only to registered marketing agents, with exporters and processors also required to purchase their products from registered marketing agents.

Mango exporters have also been advised to request physical inspection of mango consignments through (email protected) clearly indicating the location of the packing plant with the aim of facilitating inspection.

This compliance directive is a result of some exporters mixing shipments of mangoes with avocados due to a coinciding harvest season.