U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service in Nairobi, Kenya

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture. FAS works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products, build new markets, improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provide food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries. FAS has the primary responsibility for USDA’s international activities—market development, trade agreements and negotiations, and the collection and analysis of statistics and market information. It also administers USDA’s export credit guarantee and food aid programs, and helps increase income and food availability in developing nations by mobilizing expertise for agriculturally led economic growth. FAS staff in more than 100 and 80 countries around the world work to enhance U.S. agriculture’s competitiveness by providing linkages to global resources and international organizations.

The Office of Agricultural Affairs (OAA) in the American Embassy, Nairobi, Kenya, offers a variety of services to U.S. and Kenyan companies to facilitate U.S. agricultural trade with Kenya. Our mission is to seek expanded opportunities for U.S. exporters of food and agricultural products. FAS/Nairobi can provide U.S. contacts for a wide range of products, from bulk commodities to ready-for-retail sale food items. The Office also covers the countries of Malawi, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Please contact the OAA for additional information about these services. Please see contact information below.

A Guide to Buying U.S. Products

FAS offers a range of programs and services to assist international buyers who wish to locate and source products and suppliers. FAS also offers financing options through the Export Credit Guarantee Program. To view the range of programs and services, click here.  

A Guide to Exporting to Kenya

First, obtain a Certificate of Conformity. Foodstuffs exported to Kenya must have a Certificate of Conformity to Kenya and/or International Standards. Click here for details.

Second, consider the applied duties. Import duties are 25%, plus a 16% value-added tax (VAT).

Third, ensure proper labeling. Shipments must have dates of manufacture and expiry in  dd/mm/yy format, in English, and in the metric system of measurement. Click here for details.

Fourth, the product must have at least 75% remaining shelf life at time of arrival at destination.

Fifth, consider that shipments by sea freight take an average of eight weeks from U.S. ports to the port of Mombasa. For details, contact FAS/Nairobi.

Trade Events (2008)

No trade events are scheduled at this time for Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda or Zambia. To view the 2008-2009 Calendar of USDA-Endorsed Trade Shows, click here.

Latest Market and Trade Data

Market and Trade Data Exporter Guide Annual (Kenya): This guide serves as a resource for U.S. companies seeking to export high value consumer-oriented products to Kenya and the greater East and Central African region. Kenya's geographical location, industrial development and regional integration make it a major gateway to trade. This guide provides practical tips on local business practices, consumer characteristics, food standards and regulations, import and inspection procedures. It also highlights opportunities and best high-value product prospects. [Download Kenyan Exporter Guide 2007.]

Kenya's Retail Sector Market Brief: A growing supermarket industry in Kenya is providing opportunities for U.S. exporters of food and agricultural products looking at the Kenyan/East African market. Suppliers able to provide smaller quantities through consolidators should find the greatest chance for success. The retail market is viable and vibrant. [View the Retail Sector Report 2007.]

Kenya's Biosafety Bill Proposal: Kenya has a Draft Biosafety Bill and an approved National Biotechnology Policy. The National Biotechnology Policy 2006 outlines the safety procedures for biotechnology in the context of research development, technology transfer and commercialization of products. The passage of the Biosafety Bill into law is at an advanced stage. Currently, Kenya requires declaration of the genetic modification status as stipulated in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. [View the Kenya Biotechnology Report 2007.]

Useful Links

The U.S. Department of Agriculture: An access point to all USDA agencies and offices, as well as an information source for USDA news and services.

Foreign Agricultural Service: Get more information about FAS activities and services worldwide.

National Agricultural Library Home Page: Provides agricultural information of all sorts. Find a wide variety of information on agricultural trade and marketing, alternative farming systems, animal welfare, aquaculture, biotechnology, food and nutrition, plant genome, rural development, technology transfer, water quality, and more.

Kenya Bureau of Standards: Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is the trade facilitator of Kenya with a primary function to provide trade facilitation services in metrology, standards, testing and quality management (MSTQ) including the WTO/TBT National Enquiry Point, certification, and accreditation. KEBS ensures that no technical barriers to trade are created while providing services in standardization and conformity assessment.

Kenya PVoC Program: The Kenya PVoC program executes conformity assessment activities in the country of export to minimize the risk that unsafe and sub-standard goods enter Kenya. This program also ensures that Kenyan manufacturers are not subjected to unfair competition.

Attaché Reports: FAS attachés at posts around the world generate estimates related to their host country's agricultural economy. Attaché Reports are generated monthly, quarterly and yearly. The data produced is not official USDA data or statistics.

Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS): KEPHIS is a regulatory agency for quality control of agricultural input and produce in Kenya. KEPHIS coordinates all matters relating to crop pests and disease control, advises the Director of Agriculture on appropriate seeds and planting materials for export and import.

Contact Information for FAS/Nairobi

Office of Agricultural Affairs
Embassy of the United States of America
P.O. Box 606
Village Market
00621 Nairobi
Republic of Kenya

Tel: (27-12) 431-4057
Fax: (27-12) 342-2264
E-mail: agnairobi@usda.gov

Home Page: U.S. Embassy Nairboi, Kenya

Embassy and Mission Offices: U.S. Embassy Nairboi, Kenya

FAS Overseas Offices Page