AFA: Miraa exporters cleared for trade with Djibouti
Kenyan miraa (khat) farmers and traders have reason to celebrate after the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) announced that Djibouti has officially opened its market to Kenyan miraa exports.
In a statement released on Tuesday, AFA Director General Bruno Linyiru said the move follows a series of high-level trade engagements between the two countries in 2024.
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“The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) wishes to notify the public and stakeholders of new export opportunities for Kenyan miraa (khat) to Djibouti, following successful trade engagements between the two nations. As a result of a Trade Mission to Djibouti in October 2024, and a reciprocal visit by a Djibouti delegation in November 2024, Djibouti has opened its market for Kenyan miraa, subject to regulatory compliance,” Linyiru said.
According to AFA, a Trade Mission to Djibouti in October 2024 and a reciprocal visit by a Djibouti delegation in November 2024 laid the groundwork for this breakthrough.
The result is a new export opportunity that could boost incomes for farmers and traders, especially those in miraa-growing regions like Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi.
However, exporters must meet specific conditions before they can begin shipping miraa to Djibouti.
“Exporters interested in accessing this market must comply with Djibouti’s import regulations, including obtaining necessary permits and adhering to product standards. Additionally, the traders must comply with requirements by relevant regulatory and government institutions in Kenya, to ensure smooth trade operations,” he stated.
He noted that traders must also meet the requirements set by Kenyan regulatory and government institutions to ensure smooth and legal trade operations.
The opening of the Djibouti market comes at a crucial time when Kenyan miraa traders have been pushing for new markets following restrictions in Somalia and other traditional destinations.
“We encourage all miraa traders to take advantage of this new commercial opportunity and link up with buyers in Djibouti for business engagements,” he noted.
On February 15, 2025, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced that the government had raised the official prices of miraa. The price for Grade One miraa was revised from Ksh700 to Ksh1,300, while Grade Two was increased from Ksh350 to Ksh700.
Additionally, the cost of Alele miraa doubled from Ksh500 to Ksh1,000.
“If you don’t want to buy according to the agreed prices, then you will be delisted. Go and trade other items like maize, but as far as miraa is concerned, you will buy at the price that we agreed,” the CS warned in April 2025.
Later, during a visit to Meru on April 2, President William Ruto revealed that the government had launched a crackdown on miraa cartels, blaming them for preventing farmers from reaping the full benefits of their produce.
