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馃嚢馃嚜 Kenya 路 Category 5 of 9

HACCP/SPS requirements

May be outdated 路 14 Apr 2026

Food, plant and animal exports must meet sanitary and phytosanitary controls, with HACCP-based food-safety systems required for most processed-food and fishery exports.

Overview

Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) compliance is the make-or-break step for Kenya's largest export sectors. Plant and horticultural exports are certified by KEPHIS against the importing country's phytosanitary requirements, with inspection at the farm, packhouse or point of exit. Fish and fishery products fall under the Kenya Fisheries Service as the recognised competent authority, and processing establishments exporting to the EU must operate an approved HACCP-based food-safety management system and appear on the EU's list of authorised establishments. Products of animal origin are certified by the Directorate of Veterinary Services. For a small exporter of processed food, the core expectation from premium markets (EU, UK, Gulf) is a documented HACCP plan, good manufacturing and hygiene practice, and traceability. Kenya subscribes to Codex Alimentarius, IPPC and WOAH standards, so aligning your food-safety system to those references is the reliable route to acceptance. Check the destination's specific SPS measures on ePing and the ITC Market Access Map before shipping.

Key requirements

  1. 1

    Phytosanitary inspection and certification

    KEPHIS inspects plant consignments at production or packhouse level and issues a phytosanitary certificate matched to the importing country's pest requirements.

  2. 2

    HACCP food-safety system

    Processed-food and fishery exporters must implement and document a HACCP-based system with prerequisite hygiene programmes; EU-bound plants need approval and listing.

  3. 3

    Competent-authority health certification

    Fishery products are certified by the Kenya Fisheries Service and animal products by the Directorate of Veterinary Services as Kenya's competent authorities.

  4. 4

    Codex / IPPC / WOAH alignment

    Residue limits, hygiene and pest-freedom must align with Codex, IPPC and WOAH references that underpin most import SPS rules.

Documents you will need

  • Phytosanitary certificate (KEPHIS)
  • HACCP plan and food-safety management records
  • Health certificate from the competent authority (KeFS or DVS)
  • Establishment approval / EU listing number where applicable
  • Laboratory / residue analysis report
  • Traceability and cold-chain records