#Africa #Kenya #Nairobi #Harvest Group

Harvest Group Expands into Kenya: A New Frontier for African Economic Growth

As global economic dynamics continuously evolve, Harvest Group SA has taken a significant step by launching its operations in Kenya. The decision to establish a presence in this vibrant country is primarily driven by Kenya's strategic position as a central hub for regional trade and its burgeoning access to expanding African markets. With the necessary regulatory stability, robust infrastructure, and high level of digitalization, Kenya stands out as an ideal entry point for Harvest Group’s aggressive growth strategy in Africa.

The company identifies the Port of Mombasa, the largest deep-water port in the region, as a critical asset in its expansion plan. This port serves as a vital logistics hub, facilitating the transportation of goods not only within Kenya but also to neighbouring countries in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which includes nations such as Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Almaz Alsenov, the founder of Harvest Group, expressed the company's long-term commitment to the African continent, indicating that while European markets face stagnation, Africa presents a thrilling and dynamic growth trajectory. He stated, “The ambitious infrastructure development and widespread technology adoption in Kenya enable us to operate efficiently and respond swiftly to changing market dynamics, effectively tackling broader challenges like food insecurity throughout the region.”

In December of the previous year, Harvest Group executed its inaugural shipment of soy flour from India. Since then, the company has established a scalable distribution model based on a cash-and-carry system, where goods are stored in strategically located warehouses and sold in quantities tailored to local demand, ranging from individual bags to bulk truckloads. The efficiency of Harvest Group’s logistics model is evident as incoming shipments are repackaged at the Port of Mombasa into local market-standard bags of 40 to 50 kg before being transported via Kenya's modern high-speed rail network to Nairobi. This logistical corridor has succeeded in reducing transit times within the country to just eight hours, allowing Nairobi to become a wholesale distribution hub for local farmers to purchase goods directly.

To further enhance market penetration and accessibility, Harvest Group is planning to expand its warehousing operations throughout the country. This initiative will leverage Kenya's advanced mobile infrastructure, enabling the company to efficiently manage logistics and sales. With the widespread use of mobile phones and a high rate of electronic financial transactions, Harvest Group has implemented automated systems at its distribution centers, such as QR code customer identification for streamlined product pickups, all while enhancing security measures.

Operating under the Harvest Group brand, the company offers high-demand agricultural products including wheat, maize, soybean meal, vegetable oils, and barley. Mr. Alsenov emphasized the significance of quality and reliability, stating, “We are committed to not only ensuring a stable supply but also raising market standards. By introducing superior quality staples to regional markets, our aim is to elevate agricultural practices and the overall quality of food and feed production in the region. Enhancing agricultural efficiency is crucial to combating food insecurity while also supporting the economies of African nations.”

Rather than merely exporting raw materials, Harvest Group is pioneering a new trading model in Africa that integrates long-term development goals, such as addressing food insecurity, with effective logistics and technology-driven distribution. The investment in Kenya marks a vital stride toward achieving a sustainable regional impact for Harvest Group.

About Harvest Group SA

Harvest Group SA is a Geneva-based commodity trader specializing in the logistics and distribution of agricultural products on a global scale. Focused on sustainable growth and innovation, the company is determined to establish resilient supply chains and foster economic development within emerging markets.

For more information, please visit www.harvest-group.com.