ABSTRACT
Kenya's economy performed below its potential during the 1990s. Supermarkets are emerging in Kenya, but traditional markets will continue to dominate food supply for some time to come. However, especially in the urban areas, there is an expanding modern food system, with over 200 supermarket and hypermarket stores now open. The country's agricultural sector efficiently produces a range of exports including high-value, air-freighted vegetables. This export sector includes small-scale producers as well as large farms and plantations. The country has in many ways led Africa for 50 years in seeking ways to help small-scale farmers. Therefore, the prospects are good for small-scale producers to gain access to the modern food system as preferred suppliers. There are several successful cooperatives already working in Kenya. In fact, the only ingredient still required seems to be a private sector both willing and able to use small-scale producers as suppliers and cultivate producer organizations as long-term partners in their supply chains.
