Miraa exporters will have to wait a bit longer to be able to fly their produce to Mogadishu, Somalia a day after both Kenya and Somalia agreed to resume exports of the stimulant.
This is due to requirements set out in by relevant authorities from both countries.
Traders who are eager to export their produce have called on the government to speed up the issuance of export licenses as per the regulations set by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Somalia counterpart.
Kenya and Somalia revived bilateral relations on Friday after President Hassan Mahmud met President Uhuru Kenyatta and agreed that trade and flights between the two countries resume with immediate effect.
This allowed Miraa farmers across the country to improve their commodity to meet international standard to be exported while at the same time the dealers will be required to adhere to the Crops (Miraa) (Amendment) Regulations, 2022 and the Kenya Bureau and Standards Code of Practice.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya recently gazette the amended regulations, scrapping an export and import levy of Sh30 and Sh60 per kilo respectively.
The regulations by CS Munya also provide for the registration and licensing of miraa nursery operators, growers’ associations, aggregators, transporters, importers and vendors.
The rules also establish a miraa pricing formula committee, which will be tasked with coming up with a pricing method based on supply and demand, cost of production and other factors.
It will also help in regulating the quality of planting materials, production, post-harvest handling and transportation.
Transporters are required to use well ventilated and hygienic vehicles in adherence to food safety standards.