Though Kenyan avocados are delicious, Europeans are not just content with flavour. They have deeper concerns about the environmental cost of production and logistics.

The EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) have been introduced to ensure that food production and logistics are ethical and cause minimal harm to the planet.

Kenyan exporters are well aware that sustainability is no longer optional and is a prerequisite for market access to one of the wealthiest markets in the world. Maersk has recognised this demand and is rebranding its logistical network as ‘Blue Shipping’, an end-to-end framework for decarbonising cargo movement from inland farms to ocean freight, to meet the sustainable demands of Kenyan premium produce.

The Carbon Footprint Problem With Perishable Goods

Perishable logistics is a race against time. It requires precise temperature control, and the journey is often complex. Traditionally, people used the cold chain model, which is just uninterrupted refrigeration.

However, that is very energy-intensive and does not comply with EU demands. It is also definitely bad for the planet. Refrigerated transport alone accounts for roughly 2.5%-3% of global logistics carbon dioxide emissions.

Not just that, if there are inefficiencies, delay of any kind, or equipment failure, the food is spoiled. Spoiled food emits methane, which is around 80 times more harmful to the planet than carbon dioxide over 20 years.

Kenyan exporters face two challenges simultaneously. One is the distance (journey from Mombasa to Rotterdam takes 20-25 days), and the other is the climate impact. If they optimise for speed, they create a lot of emissions and waste. However, if they optimise for environmental sensitivities, the cost surges.

This is where Maersk comes in. According to Tito Okuku, Managing Director of Maersk East Africa: “The avocado season is a critical time for Kenyan exporters, and we are committed to providing not just transportation services, but comprehensive support that empowers our customers to meet the world’s growing demand for premium Kenyan avocados.”

Decarbonisation And Waste Reduction Through ‘Blue Shipping’

Maersk has been committed to decarbonising logistics and reaching net zero emissions by 2040 through ‘Blue Shipping’. The company hopes to achieve this through different methods, including strategic resource positioning and inland optimisation.

In the world of logistics, strategic resource positioning and in-line optimisation are the two gears that make a global supply chain more efficient.

Strategic resource positioning is the art of placing physical assets such as shipping containers, trucks, or specialised equipment, in the exact locations where they need to be before demand spikes.

In agriculture, harvest seasons are sudden and massive. If empty refrigerated containers (reefers) are sitting in Mombasa and the avocados are harvested 500 kilometres away in central Kenya, a lot of time is wasted just moving these reefers next to the farm.

To address this, a strategic move involves analysing historical data to figure out when the peak harvest will be, and moving the empty resources to the staging areas a few weeks in advance. This ensures that produce is picked, packed, and boarded onto container ships quickly, thus improving shelf life.

Inland optimisation is about how things move between the farm and the ship. Maersk focuses on the first and middle mile, which involves transporting goods from the farm to the warehouse, and then from the warehouse to the port.

Another point of focus is the ’empty mile’, which is also called ’deadheading’. This refers to when a truck drives empty to pick up a load.

Optimisation software ensures that the truck is already delivering something to rural areas, only picking up avocados after unloading whatever goods (such as fertilisers) it has brought. This software might suggest that utilising a train for the long-haul journey from the dry port to the coast is a more cost-effective option than using a fleet of trucks.

Furthermore, inland optimisation involves streamlining various processes, such as handling customs and pre-clearance, documentation, and inspections. All of these critical steps must occur without disruption.

Reefer Technology And Training

The second part of ‘Blue Shipping’ involves state-of-the-art reefer technology and training. Maersk has developed and deployed advanced refrigerated shipping technology with atmospheric controls, while also providing specialised technical training to exporters regarding proper reefer handling and cold chain management.

The third method is efficient ocean routing and freight decarbonisation.

Maersk prioritises vessel capacity on the Kenyan-European trade route and focuses on high schedule reliability. Reliable, efficient routing minimises the time produce spends at sea, preserving shelf life and reducing the total energy required for refrigeration during transit.

Capitalising On Appetite For Avocados

European per capita avocado consumption has grown dramatically, and so has its compliance bar. According to a 2013-2024 analysis of the European Union by Indexbox, Italy recorded the fastest compound annual growth rate in avocado consumption at about +20.9% in that period. In 2024, Europe consumed around 1.1 million tonnes of avocados, marking a 8.1% increase since 2023.

The World Avocado Organisation (WAO) found that Spain leads European per capita consumption at 4.6 kg per person per year, followed by the Netherlands at 3.3 kg and Portugal at 3.1 kg. Data from 2020-2024 revealed other consumption levels across the continent, with France at 2.31 kg, the UK at 1.7 kg, Germany at 1.48 kg, and Italy at 0.81 kg.

The growing appetite for avocado is creating opportunities for exporters in Kenya. But, they would not be able to access European markets without a sustainability tag.

Maersk helps small African producers gain access and compete in the European markets through sustainable logistics. Whether that access holds and expands will depend less on the quality of the fruit and more on the reliability of the supply chain delivering it to the market.

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“Clearing and forwarding agents and transporters said the Ugandan authorities’ move to impose a nationwide internet blackout cut communication between them and drivers and disrupted cargo documentation and clearance processes. According to cargo handlers, the shutdown of the internet has affected communication with drivers and clients through WhatsApp, messages and Telegram, which are now inaccessible,” The East African reported.

While transit cargo relies on GPRS trackers that report through mobile data and public internet, the mechanism has been affected. Cargo clearance has also been affected, as customs and logistics platforms rely on internet access. With internet downtime, there is a potential for a traffic snarl-up at the border posts. Another impact area has been communication with drivers and their access for navigation and timely updates, which depends on outbound data roaming.

Mr Roy Mwanthi, a Mombasa-based transporter, told The East African he is focusing on local cargo until after the election.

“Already transit-cleared cargo will be transported to Busia and Malaba border, but to ensure safety and avoid losses, we shall focus on local cargo,” he stated.

Uganda’s communications authority informed the public that all service providers would suspend internet access ahead of the general election, in which President Yoweri Museveni is expected to extend his 40-year rule. The election will be a rematch of the 2021 contest, with 81-year-old President Museveni, in power for four decades, being challenged once again by the relatively youthful former pop star, 43-year-old Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi. There are six other candidates.

The authority justified the internet shutdown on the grounds of public safety to prevent “online misinformation, disinformation and electoral fraud as well as preventing the incitement of violence.”

In January 2026, the UCC (Uganda Communications Commission) described reports of an internet blackout as rumours, stating that the commission’s role was to ensure uninterrupted connectivity nationwide.

During the last election in 2021, which saw widespread protests with dozens killed, the internet was cut for at least a week.

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Allan Kilavuka, CEO of Kenya Airways, said in a statement, “I would like to assure the public that KAA has put in place the recommended health and safety protocols and we are ready to reconnect with our airport users. As we prepare to operate under exceptional circumstances, we look forward to welcoming more of our guests onboard and we remain committed to offering world-class service with a delightful African touch.”

It is reported that Kenya Airways is closely working with the government through the Ministry of Health and Kenya Airports Authority to introduce a myriad of safety measures as it is preparing to resume passenger flights.

In fact, the airline is facing stiff competition from Safarilink, Skyward Express and Fly540. The three carriers are offering cheaper fares to Kisumu and Mombasa, a local media reported. For example, Kenya Airways has priced a one-way ticked to Mombasa at Sh14,456, while Safarilink offers Sh7,700 per ticket. Also, the latter is flying to Kisumu at Sh5,700 per ticket, while Kenya Airways is offering Sh12,897 to the same destination.

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It is reported that shortage in fuel products is seen in Nairobi, Western Kenya, Mombasa and other major African countries. Against this background, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority has issued a warning against those dealers who will be charged financial penalties, jail terms and revocation of licences, media reports said.

Petroleum stations run by individual dealers in major African countries have reported shortage in stock. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority said in a statement, “A number of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are deliberately holding back sales to non-franchised petroleum retailers otherwise known as independents, in anticipation of a price increase.”

The authority will permanently revoke licences for those involved in the hoarding. The price of fuel has dropped since the pandemic started as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cut its output, media reports said.

In May, prices closed at $37 per barrel and had started at $26 per barrel. However, over the next few weeks, the fuel prices are expected to go up to more than $50. Also, ease of lockdown restrictions has led to higher fuel consumption and increasing demand against reduced production will hike the prices further.

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