Impact of UK purchasing practices on small and medium-sized tea and vegetable producers in Kenya

The United Kingdom (UK) is the single largest consumer of Kenyan exports to the European Union (EU). Tea and horticulture are one of Kenya's leading exports to the UK. This study sought to investigate the impact of UK purchasing practices on small and medium-sized tea and fresh vegetable producers. Using a value-chain analytical model, the study established that workers and farmers are at more vulnerable positions in the trade as compared to middlemen and exporters. A high level of information asymmetry exists along the various stages of the supply chains for the two crops and farmers are not effectively involved in decision-making. To promote responsible trade between Kenyan and UK businesses, it is important that farmers be facilitated to adhere to food safety regulations and requirements. The requirements should be negotiated between the parties to enhance ownership and implementation. Farmers should be empowered and encouraged to form grassroots membership associations to strenghten their bargaining powers.