Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
In Kenya, cassava is mainly grown in coastal, central and western regions and used for food, income and livestock feed; dried cassava chips are a shelf-stable form traded domestically and used as an input for milling/processing. Marketability is highly dependent on meeting East African Standard limits for moisture and hydrogen cyanide and avoiding mould contamination.
Market RoleDomestic producer and consumption market; limited formal export
Domestic RoleFood, income and livestock feed crop; dried forms support storage and processing use
Specification
Physical Attributes- Typical taste and odour for dried cassava chips; characteristic chip colour.
- Free from filth, foreign matter and extraneous matter; chips should not appear mouldy.
Compositional Metrics- Moisture content: maximum 12% (by mass).
- Hydrogen cyanide: maximum 10 mg/kg (dry matter basis).
- Crude ash (dry matter basis): maximum 3%.
- Acid insoluble ash (dry matter basis): maximum 0.15%.
- Crude fibre (dry matter basis): maximum 2%.
Grades- Microbiological limits (EAS 739): E. coli absent; Salmonella absent in 25 g; yeasts and moulds max 10^3 cfu/g.
Packaging- Pack in food-grade, clean, moisture-proof materials to safeguard hygienic and organoleptic quality.
- Labelling commonly includes product name, manufacturer/packer address, lot identification, net mass, date of manufacture, country of origin, and storage instruction to keep in a cool, dry place.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Cassava root sourcing → peeling → slicing/chipping → drying → sorting/cleaning → bagging in moisture-proof packaging → storage → distribution
Temperature- Storage and transport emphasis is on keeping product cool and dry to prevent condensation and re-wetting that can drive mould growth.
Shelf Life- Shelf stability depends on maintaining low moisture (≤12%) and using moisture-proof packaging; re-wetting during storage/transport increases mould and compliance failure risk.
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Food Safety HighDried cassava chips that exceed the East African Standard limits for moisture (max 12%) and hydrogen cyanide (max 10 mg/kg, dry matter basis), or that show mould contamination, may be unsafe and non-compliant for human consumption marketing in the EAC context, creating a shipment-rejection and brand-risk exposure.Use validated peeling/chipping/drying and (where applicable) detoxification steps; test each lot for moisture and hydrogen cyanide; control humidity during storage/transport with moisture-proof packaging and clean handling to prevent mould.
Regulatory Sps HighImports of plant products into Kenya without prior authorization (Plant Import Permit) and correct accompanying documents (including a phytosanitary certificate) can be denied entry and may be destroyed or re-shipped at the owner’s cost.Secure the KEPHIS Plant Import Permit before shipment; ensure the consignment is accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country’s competent authority; pre-align packaging and documentation with KEPHIS inspection expectations.
Phyto Sanitary Supply MediumCassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) have been documented in western Kenya counties, contributing to yield and quality variability that can disrupt consistent local sourcing for drying and processing chains.Diversify sourcing across regions; for contracted supply, require clean planting material and varietal improvement programs and monitor field incidence in key sourcing counties.
Logistics MediumHigh-humidity conditions and transit/storage delays can cause dried chips to absorb moisture and develop mould, risking failure against EAS 739 moisture and mould-related quality requirements and increasing spoilage losses.Use moisture-proof packaging, pallets and dry warehouses; monitor moisture on receipt and before dispatch; avoid loading in wet conditions and reduce dwell time at ports/depots.
FAQ
What are the key safety and quality limits for dried cassava chips sold for human consumption in the EAC/Kenya context?Under EAS 739, dried cassava chips should have moisture at or below 12% and hydrogen cyanide at or below 10 mg/kg (dry matter basis), should not appear mouldy, and have microbiological limits including absence of Salmonella (25 g) and E. coli.
Which documents are commonly required to import plant products such as dried cassava chips into Kenya?KEPHIS indicates that plant consignments entering Kenya generally require a KEPHIS Plant Import Permit (obtained prior to shipment) and a phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country’s competent authority, and the goods must be declared to a plant inspector at entry.
What production-side risks can affect Kenyan cassava supply used for drying?Surveys in western Kenya report cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) across multiple counties; these diseases can reduce yield and quality and add volatility to local sourcing for drying and processing.