Effect of Food Value Chain Governance Determinants on Competitive Advantage of Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Exporters in Kenya

Abstract

standards & certifications and the level of supply chain integration as influenced by information sharing and communication. The findings also demonstrated that while traceability is virtually adopted by all exporters in the value chain, it however remains to be largely paper based. Owing to the short product life cycle of FFV products and complexity of transactions partly attributed to the heterogeneity of export markets, this study validates both hybrid and relational governance backed by information systems promoting chain actors’ visibility. While competitiveness has largely been attributed to costs, differentiation and niche markets, Kenyan horticultural export sector reveals net gains to be attributed largely by differentiation strategies related to value addition in post-harvest downstream activities of products and processes linked to improved pack-house activities. The study recommends in policy the primacy of standards & certifications as a key remote governance tool and strategy; increased uptake of electronic traceability to access export niche markets; increased setting up of pack-houses for products value addition and cold-chains for contingency planning of the highly perishable FFV exports.