Europe is the main market for East African fresh produce and a long-standing buyer of its coffee, tea and fibers. The Netherlands receives about a third of Kenya’s avocado exports and redistributes them across the continent, Italy and Germany are the leading destinations for Ugandan coffee, and the United Kingdom took roughly 8.6% of Kenya’s tea in 2025. This guide explains what we ship to Europe and the UK and the rules to plan for.
What European buyers source from us
- Cashew kernels in W180 to W320 for packers and roasters.
- Bell peppers in the northern winter, when European production is low.
- Hass avocado and mango by reefer container or air.
- Green coffee, CTC tea and cocoa beans.
- Sesame seeds for bakeries and tahini makers.
- Sisal fiber for cordage, plaster, carpets and composites.
- Copper cathode, copper scrap and aluminium scrap for mills and refiners.
Market access and duties
Kenya trades with the European Union under an Economic Partnership Agreement, and Tanzania and Uganda qualify for duty-free access as least-developed countries. The United Kingdom operates equivalent arrangements. In practice most of the products on this page can enter free of duty when accompanied by the correct proof of origin. Your customs agent can confirm the preference and the origin document for each shipment; we supply the certificate.
Plant health and food safety
The EU and UK apply some of the strictest import controls in the world. The points below affect most food shipments.
- Phytosanitary certificate. Required for fresh fruit, vegetables and many plant products, issued after inspection at origin.
- Maximum residue limits (MRLs). Pesticide residues must be within EU or UK limits. We arrange laboratory analysis where needed.
- Border checks. Some products and origins are subject to increased official controls. Sesame, for example, faces tightened checks, so we test before shipment.
- Contaminants. Limits apply for aflatoxins in nuts and other contaminants.
- Restricted products. Some plant products cannot be imported from most countries outside Europe. Potatoes are the main example; ask before ordering.
Private standards
European retailers add their own requirements on top of the law. The most common is GLOBALG.A.P. certification for farms supplying fresh produce, often with a social compliance audit. Food manufacturers may ask for a food safety certificate from the packing facility. Organic and Fairtrade lots are available on request, subject to certified supply. Tell us which standards your customers require and we will check what the grower or processor holds.
Deforestation rules for coffee and cocoa
The EU Deforestation Regulation covers coffee and cocoa, among other commodities. Importers must be able to show that the product was not grown on land deforested after the cut-off date, with location data for the farms. The application date has been postponed more than once, so check the date currently in force. If you buy coffee or cocoa for the EU, tell us early so that traceability data can be collected with the lot.
Fresh produce seasons
| Product | Main supply window | Usual route |
|---|---|---|
| Avocado | March to October (regulated season) | Reefer container via Mombasa |
| Mango | November to March | Air or reefer |
| Bell peppers | Year-round; strongest demand in the northern winter | Air |
See our avocado season guide and the bell pepper export guide before you plan a programme.
Metals and fiber
Copper cathode and scrap are priced against the London Metal Exchange and verified by independent assay at loading. Waste shipment rules apply to scrap metal entering the EU, so your receiving facility should confirm its permits. Sisal enters as a raw fiber with a phytosanitary certificate. Read the guides to copper cathode specification, copper scrap grades and sisal fiber grades.
Shipping to European ports
Containers load at Mombasa, Dar es Salaam or Tanga for Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, Felixstowe, Genoa, Valencia and other main ports. Transit time depends on the routing in use, so we confirm the schedule with each quotation. Air freight for fresh produce moves through Nairobi, Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam to the main European cargo airports.
Documents we provide
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading or airway bill
- Certificate of origin for preferential duty
- Phytosanitary and fumigation certificates
- Laboratory analysis, and weight and quality certificates
How to order
Tell us the product, grade, quantity, destination and any certification you need. We reply with availability, price and delivery term; see EXW, FOB or CIF explained. Message us from any product page or the contact page.