Kenya and Italy have deepened agri-food ties as 13 Italian companies arrive in Nairobi to explore partnerships aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and modernising food processing.

Kenya and Italy Deeps Agri-food Ties to Curb Post-Harvest Losses

Kenya and Italy have stepped up cooperation in agriculture and food processing, with 13 Italian agritech and food processing companies arriving in Nairobi to explore partnerships aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and modernising the country’s agri-food value chain.

The collaboration comes as Africa loses between 30 and 50 per cent of agricultural produce during post-harvest handling, storage, processing and packaging stages, according to information released by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), creating growing demand for modern food processing and preservation technologies.

Demand for advanced food processing and packaging technologies across Africa, including Kenya, is projected to grow by about 10 per cent annually.

In Kenya, post-harvest losses are severe, with the Ministry of Agriculture estimating that 30-40 per cent of total crop production is lost annually, translating to Sh72 billion to over Sh150 billion, severely threatening national food security and smallholder incomes.

Italy’s Ambassador to Kenya, Vincenzo Del Monaco, said Kenya remains a country of significant economic potential and an important destination for Italian investment and technology partnerships.

“Africa is not only the continent of opportunities, but it’s a continent, and Kenya in particular, a country of very significant, very meaningful potential,” Del Monaco said.

He said Italian businesses were increasingly looking towards Africa as a strategic market for future growth and investment.

“It is clear everywhere almost in Italy that these are the new market destinations. We have to look at Africa,” he said.

The renewed cooperation was highlighted during the Africa on the Road Project 2026, Nairobi Edition, a three-day business mission organised by the Italian Trade Agency in partnership with Cibustec Exhibition.

The initiative brought 13 Italian agritech and food processing companies to Nairobi to engage Kenyan players across the agri-food value chain through business meetings, technical visits and industry engagements.

Speaking during the opening of the event on Tuesday, Del Monaco said the growing participation of Italian firms reflected increasing interest by Italian businesses in Kenya and the wider African market.

He said the presence of about 50 Italian companies just in one gathering demonstrated the importance Italian investors attach to opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing and food processing across Kenya.

Del Monaco said the initiative builds on what he described as a positive phase in Kenya-Italy relations, supported by cooperation in agriculture, trade and growing political engagement between the two countries.

He noted that Italy had recently established an Italian Chamber of Commerce in Kenya, a move he said would help deepen business links and support investment between the two countries.

He said Kenya remains one of the most strategic African markets for Italian agricultural cultivation and food processing technologies as the country seeks to increase food production and reduce losses along the value chain.

Kenya Association of Manufacturers Chief Executive Officer Tobias Alando said the collaboration could help address some of the challenges facing the country’s agricultural sector.

“Through this mission, our manufacturers and farmers will experience fewer post-harvest losses by gaining access to the latest agricultural technologies,” Alando said.

He said access to modern agricultural machinery and food processing equipment would help improve efficiency, increase productivity and strengthen agricultural value chains.

He noted that Italy had historically been a major supplier of agricultural machinery and remains a significant player in global food processing technologies, especially in Kenya.

He added that Italian manufacturers account for about 30 per cent of the market for mowers and lawnmowers and 18 per cent of the market for ploughs.

“Italy is among the leading suppliers of food processing and manufacturing machinery, including bottling, washing and packaging equipment used in food production industries,” he said.

The Nairobi programme includes presentations to members of Kenya’s business community, business-to-business matchmaking sessions and technical visits to agricultural and manufacturing facilities.

The visiting delegation will tour farms, fresh fruit processing facilities, dairy factories and a brewery as part of efforts to understand opportunities and challenges within Kenya’s agri-food sector.

The agency said the Nairobi event forms part of a broader series of engagements in the agri-food sector, including participation in agricultural and food processing exhibitions and business missions involving Kenyan industry players visiting Italy.

Credit: CHRISTABEL ADHIAMBO

https://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Kenya-and-Italy-Deeps-Agri-food-Ties-to-Curb-Post-Harvest-Losses--711x1024.jpghttps://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Kenya-and-Italy-Deeps-Agri-food-Ties-to-Curb-Post-Harvest-Losses--150x150.jpgFarmersTrendFarming NewsKenya and Italy have deepened agri-food ties as 13 Italian companies arrive in Nairobi to explore partnerships aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and modernising food processing.Kenya and Italy have stepped up cooperation in agriculture and food processing, with 13 Italian agritech and food processing companies arriving in Nairobi to...New Generation Culture in Agriculture