FPEAK-FRESH PRODUCE EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION OF KENYA

The Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK) is Kenya s premier trade Association representing growers, exporters and service providers in the horticulture industry. Formed in 1975, when export horticulture was in its infancy, the Association has grown to become Kenya s foremost sectoral trade asociation. Members of the Association are involved in growing and/or exporting fresh cutflowers, fruits, and vegetables. FPEAK provides a focal and coordination point for the horticulture export industry. We support growers and exporters by providing technical and marketing information and training, act as an information centre, and run active lobbying and advocacy programes to enhance the sector s competiveness. FPEAK S Vision: To make Kenyan horticulture the Global choice. FPEAK S Mission: To develop, unite and promote the Kenyan horticultural industry in the global market with due regard to safety, good agricultural practices, social, ethical and environmental responsibilities. FPEAK s strategic goals yUpdate and implement Kenya Gap to recognized international standards yInfluence enactment of a facilitative environment for the horticulture industry yCreate awaereness in the horticulture industry on market requirements, changes and regulations yUndertake continuous identification of market opportunities

FPEAK structure
FPEAK is a legal entity registered as a company limited by guarantee. The activities of FPEAK are governed by an elected Board of Directors consisting of members actively engaged in exporting business.The Administrative body of the Association is formed by the secretariat, which is responsible for providing services to the members. The Association operates independently and receives support from partners.

Who qualifies to be a member?

To become an ordinary member, an exporter must have been in business for six months. We represent small, meduim and large exporters, equally. Affiliate membership is open to firms and/or people serving the industry. These include airlines, consultants, certification bodies, input suppliers such as seed suppliers, packaging manufacturers, chemical companies and clearing and forwarding firms.

At the PEAK of compliance - Kenya-GAP.

One of FPEAK s main activities is the development and implementation of Kenya Good Agricultural Practices (Kenya-Gap) protocol. Kenya-Gap is based on principles of responsible and sustainable agricultural practices that provide a universally acceptable standard, to which growers can be audited and certified against. Development of the protocol has involved wide stakeholder consultation through

a National technical committee which has beeen intrumental in formulating the Interpretation guidelines and Quality Management System template. For more details go to KenyaGAP KENYA-GAP The Kenya Good Agricultural Practice - KENYA-GAP (formerly FPEAK Code of Practice) developed by Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK), is for use by the Association's members in order to promote and ensure implementation of socially and environmentally sound production and marketing practices of fresh produce. Requirements in the international markets for fresh produce (fruits, vegetables, flowers) appear to be raising the bar for new entrants while at the same time throwing new challenges in the path of existing growers. In recognition of the need to meet these standards of environmental management, product food safety, quality, traceability and occupational health & safety of workers, FPEAK launched the code of practice (that has so far changed its name into KENYA-GAP) in 1996 as a certification measure for producers and exporters to achieve. The code of practice covers the entire spectrum of production, food handling, transportation, packaging and waste management. KENYA-GAP is intended to enhance the reputation of Kenya's exports by encouraging production and marketing practices that are socially, environmentally and agronomically responsible. Certification against KENYA-GAP acknowledges that qualifying exporters are meeting internationally & Nationally recognized production practices and standards for fresh produce and provides the market buyers with a 'guarantee of confidence'. KENYA -GAP can be utilized by individual companies or farmers as a production and a marketing tool upon certification. Internal Auditing or pre-auditing among exporters is carried out by FPEAK while external certification is done by an internationally recognized certification body. Implementation of KENYA-GAP provides the following benefits: y y y y y y y y Builds and maintains Kenya's reputation as a producer of quality products thereby assuring world market preference for Kenyan products; Identifies and ensures producers of a rational way of production; Ensures proper treatment of workers and the provisions for a safe work environment; Enhances economic management and boosts profitability; Enhances sustainable long term environmental conservation; Enables exporting firms to meet specific import requirements and regulations; Provides access to information on the latest production techniques and market requirements; Ensures wholesome products of high quality that are produced under acceptable conditions at all stages.

Other FPEAK Activities:

Timely information: All members benefit from FPEAK s information services where news on technical issues, trade, official regulations, and market requirements is disseminated regularly through interactive meetings, email updates, adhoc press coverage, newsletters, and our website. Trade enquiries: FPEAK receives trade enquiries from overseas buyers and passes these on to members. One needs a password to access enquiries and any other classified information not available to outsiders. Training programmes: These are conducted in conjunction with specialised trainers and includes internal auditors training for exporters' technical staff who are responsible for monitoring compliance to standards, and farmers training on Good Agricultural Practices.

Pre-certification appraisals:
Our agronomists regularly carry out field visits on request to members farms and production sites, to advise on readyness for compliance to recognized in particular to KenyaGAP and GLOBALGAP. We support members with required information and technical input necessary for them to attain compliance.

Supporting Small scale farmers:

FPEAK is engaged in training programs targeted at small holder farmers with respect to Good Agricultural Practices and standards compliance requirements. This is done in partnership with exporters who are members of the Association.

Market Development:
FPEAK coordinates the participation in trade events of its members. These include world events such as ANUGA (Germany), HORTIFAIR (Amsterdam) and FRUIT-LOGISTICA (Germany). We also participate in market assesment programs in emerging markets. These activities are aimed at opening up new markets for Kenya s horticultural produce.

Advocacy and lobbying:

FPEAK continously monitors the domestic and international policy environment and lobbies relevant institutions and governments for actions and changes aimed at enhancing competitiveness of the industry. FPEAK is a recognised partner by all the leading agricultural legislation, certification and research bodies and development partners in Kenya. This makes it possible to influence innovation and policy to the benefit of our members and the industry at large. At the moment, we are engaged in lobbying Government to cut down the excessive licencing requirements and charges placed on the industry. Success has so far been achieved in the revocation of the horticulture Export Lincence and in the removal of local cess in Nairobi and Mavoko. Our role has been fundamental in influencing the award of incentives for the industry in the annual budget considerations.

Benefits to Affiliate Members:

Affiliate members can access regular trade and industry information, tap our database of export members and partners, attend FPEAK organised meetings and network with other members. In

partnership with Affiliate members, we organize tailor-made farmer reach out programs and trainings. FPEAK also organises an industry exhibition, HORTIFAIR KENYA, which brings together service providers to show their various goods and services to farmers and members.

Kenya s Leading Horticultural Products

The main flowers exported from Kenya include Roses, Carnations, Statice, Alstroemeria, and a variety of summer flowers. Kenya s main vegetable exports are green beans, snow & snap peas, Asian vegetables (such as karella, chillies, aubergines and okra), while key fruits include Mangoes, avocadoes and passion fruit.

Leading Importers
The European Union (EU) is the principal importer of Kenyan horticultural produce. The Netherlands imports the bulk of flowers for sale through the auction system. Britain, Germany, The Netherlands and France are the major importers of fruits and vegetables. The Middle East market is an important outlet market for Kenyan fruits.