AHLCX eyes Kenya, SA for pigeon peas exports

AHL Commodities Exchange Limited (AHCX)  says they are finalising an export deal with Kenya and South Africa for pigeon peas (Nandolo), following import restriction by the world’s largest market-India.

Speaking in an interview with Business News yesterday, AHCX communications manager Thom Khanje said they have found markets in South Africa and Kenya, but they are still discussing with other countries considering that there are a lot of pigeon peas in the country.

He said: “We are progressing as we have found new markets for the crop in South Africa and Kenya, we will be informing the market very soon on the details but we are still looking for more markets.

“There is high demand for pigeon peas in South Africa especially from the large Indian community that lives in Bethlehem, Kenya is also a very good prospect but we are still discussing prices with the two markets as we want farmers to benefit.”

Last month, India imposed quotas on the crop following a record production , a development that has put pressure on producing countries such as Malawi, Myanmar, Tanzania and Mozambique. In this fiscal year, traders can only import 200 000 tonnes of legumes compared to 703 503 tonnes the previous year.

African Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC) chief executive officer Felix Limbe is on record having said the country needs to revisit its internal strategy, particularly fastening the structural marketing system which is not working well at the moment.

Indian import restriction comes at a time Malawi has increased production of pigeon peas by 400 percent over the past five years.

Malawi exports an average of 100 000 tonnes of pigeon peas to India valued at around K44 billion ($60 million).

AHCX is a subsidiary of AHL Group, formery Auction Holdings Limited.