Vegetable export production is a major source of income and contributes to the alleviation of poverty in Kenya. However, emerging production standards pose a challenge to continued smallholder involvement. This paper assesses the number of smallholders in export vegetable production in Kenya, their link to the export market and their EurepGAP certification status. In the latter half of 2005, about 11,100 smallholders produced export vegetables in nine districts of Kenya involving about 350 certified smallholders. French beans were the major crop; more smallholders were linked to the export market by middlemen and flexible arrangements than by an export company. In addition to other factors, the export sector can serve as a role model for the domestic sector with respect to production standards.
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