Kenya’s agriculture sector faced mixed results in 2024, as highlighted by the Economic Survey 2025. While some areas saw growth due to improved infrastructure and market demand, others struggled due to external market challenges, weather variability, and logistical hurdles.
The horticultural sector experienced a decline in exports, with a 14.1% drop in volumes, from 468.4 thousand tons in 2023 to 402.2 thousand tons in 2024. Export earnings for these products, including cut flowers, fruits, and vegetables, fell by 12.8%, from Sh156.7 billion to Sh136.6 billion. The downturn was largely attributed to air cargo export restrictions at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which led to higher freight costs due to limited cargo space. Additionally, stringent regulations in the European Union, particularly concerning the False Codling Moth, led to higher rejection rates for cut flowers. The fresh vegetable sector suffered even more, with revenue dropping sharply from Sh50.9 billion to Sh23.4 billion. This decline was attributed to interceptions related to Maximum Residue Levels and concerns over pesticide residues in beans and peas. However, fruit exports saw a significant rise, increasing by 26.5% in both volume and revenue, which reached Sh41 billion in 2024, driven by strong demand and improved compliance with international market standards.
On a more positive note, the sugarcane sector showed notable recovery in 2024 after disruptions caused by mill closures in the latter part of 2023. The area under sugarcane cultivation expanded by 13.2%, and the harvested area surged by 62.1%. Total cane production rose significantly from 5.6 million tons in 2023 to 9.4 million tons in 2024, almost doubling due to favorable weather conditions and the availability of mature cane. Additionally, the average yield per hectare improved, rising from 56.9 tons to 61 tons, reflecting better agronomic practices.
Pyrethrum production, however, saw a decline of 2.7%, attributed to erratic weather, seedling distribution challenges, and reduced farmer participation. Despite a slight increase in the price per kilogram, earnings from dry pyrethrum dropped from Sh512.4 million in 2023 to Sh503.4 million in 2024.
Rice production also showed significant progress, largely due to expanded irrigation infrastructure. The area under rice cultivation grew by 23.2%, from 38,942 hectares in 2022-23 to 43,057 hectares in 2023-24. This increase led to a 23.2% rise in paddy production, reaching 282.2 thousand tons. New irrigation clusters, such as those in Taveta, Anyiko, Kimira, Oluch, and Nanundu Manya, contributed to the increase in rice output. However, production declined in some regions like Bura and Tana due to severe drought, which disrupted water supply from River Tana.
Kenya’s dairy sector experienced a positive trend in 2024, with a 17% increase in milk production, prices, and processing. This growth was driven by higher farm-gate prices and rising consumer demand. Additionally, the livestock sector made a strong recovery, with total earnings rising by 17.2% to Sh235 billion. Total milk production increased slightly by 1%, reaching 5.33 billion liters in 2024, while the volume of marketed milk surged by 12% to 908.4 million liters due to improved supply chain efficiency.
The livestock sector’s recovery was broad-based, with an increase in slaughter numbers across various species. Cattle and calves slaughtered rose by 17.9% to 2.24 million head, while sheep and goats slaughtered increased to 10.7 million head, and pig slaughter climbed 7.9% to 664,900 head. Camels slaughtered surged by 29.9% to 239,000 head. However, no donkeys were slaughtered in 2024, in compliance with the national ban.
In terms of agricultural education, there was a significant increase in student enrollment in agricultural training programs in 2024. Total enrollment nearly doubled, rising from 11,994 students in 2023 to 23,121 in 2024. This increase was mostly observed in public universities, while enrollment in private universities and diploma programs saw a decline. The number of male students enrolled in agricultural courses outpaced their female counterparts, with 13,859 male students compared to 9,262 female students in 2024.
Overall, the agriculture sector’s performance in 2024 was shaped by both opportunities and challenges, with growth in certain sectors like sugarcane, dairy, and fruit exports, while others like horticulture, pyrethrum, and rice production faced setbacks due to external and internal factors. The increase in agricultural education enrollment is a promising sign of future industry development.
