Fertilizer imports into Kenya dropped by 50 per cent in the last two quarters signaling lower production in the agricultural sector.
The key ingredient in farming has dropped to 126,885 metric tonnes between July and September from 248,991 metric tonnes imported in the January-March 2018 quarter.
According to the Third Quarterly Balance of Payments report, the trend is a result of stringent re-inspection regulations that have seen consignments declared unfit and re-shipped to countries of origin.
The move follows farmers’ complaints over poor harvests in 2017 due to low-quality fertilizer.
Kenya Flower Council chief executive Clement Tulezi says the severe drop in imports is hurting flower firm investments whose hydroponic farming operations wholly depend on chemical fertilizers.