Del Monte Kenya Unveils $9 Million Frozen Processing Facility and Solar Plant to Boost Value Addition and Green Energy

Del Monte Kenya has unveiled a $4 million Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) processing facility and an 800-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) plant valued at $5 million, marking a major step toward expanding value-added agricultural exports and strengthening clean energy adoption in Kenya.

The facilities were commissioned during a ceremony attended by the Principal Secretary, State Department for Investment Promotion, Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, alongside representatives from Invest Kenya and renewable energy partner Berkeley Energy Corporate Solutions.

The investment underscores growing confidence in Kenya as a destination for sustainable agro-industrial investment and aligns with the Government’s strategy to promote value addition, export diversification, job creation and green industrial growth.

Speaking during the commissioning, PS Abubakar said the expansion reflects the critical role of reinvestment by existing investors in strengthening Kenya’s investment landscape.

“This reinvestment by an existing investor sends a strong message that Kenya is not only open for business but ready for business,” he said, noting that the project supports value addition, climate-smart manufacturing and job creation.

The Principal Secretary also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to improving the investment climate through policy stability and targeted reforms, including efforts to reduce input VAT for export-oriented horticultural businesses from 16% to 8% in order to ease VAT refund pressures for exporters.

The new IQF processing facility has the capacity to process four tonnes of pineapple per hour, rapidly freezing fruit pieces, chunks and cubes to preserve freshness, nutritional value and quality for export markets. The facility also incorporates a mango processing line, which will open new market opportunities for smallholder farmers and strengthen regional horticultural value chains.

Del Monte Kenya Managing Director Wayne Cook said the expansion reflects the contributions of workers, farmers and the surrounding community that have supported the company’s operations over the years.

“The facilities we are commissioning today were built not just by boardroom decisions, but by the workers who run the lines, the community that has grown alongside this company and the Kenyan farmers whose fruit we process,” he said.

Alongside the processing line, Del Monte Kenya also commissioned an 800-kilowatt solar PV plant developed and operated by Berkeley Energy Corporate Solutions. The installation comprises 1,379 photovoltaic panels and is expected to generate approximately 1.2 gigawatt hours of electricity annually, improving energy reliability while reducing reliance on the national grid.

The project created employment for more than 50 technicians, engineers and installers during construction and will provide clean energy to support the company’s processing operations.

The launch forms part of Del Monte Kenya’s broader strategy to expand sustainable production, reduce food waste and diversify into additional fruit and vegetable processing lines. With global demand rising for frozen and sustainably produced foods, the new facilities strengthen Kenya’s position as a competitive hub for value-added agriculture and green industrial investment while supporting farmer incomes and rural livelihoods.