News Potatoes
KFC Kenya removes fries from menu due to shortage
The fast food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is struggling with a shortage of French fries in Kenya. Disruptions in the logistics chain - largely caused by corona - have delayed containers for more than a month, forcing the fast food chain in the East African country to remove French fries from the menu.
The shortage of fries could (partly) be solved by purchasing locally, but KFC does not want that. On Monday 3 January, Jacques Theunissen, director of KFC's East Africa division, told the Business Daily that it is not possible to switch to locally produced potatoes. "The reason we can't source locally is that all suppliers have to meet globally established quality standards. We can't ignore that, even if we run out of chips. We need to be sure that our food is safe for consumption by our customers." That statement sparked anger among customers, especially Kenyan potato growers. Social media called for a boycott of KFC and the #BoycottKFC was trending on Twitter. The Kenyan farmers feel that KFC's stance is closing part of the market for them, making it impossible for them to compete for lucrative tenders, especially in a time of scarcity like now.
turnaround
The protests have had an effect, because yesterday (Wednesday 5 January) KFC announced it was investigating the possibilities of buying potatoes from Kenyan farmers. "We are pleased that KFC has retracted their previous position on the supply of local potatoes. We have lobbied to supply them with potatoes. We do not mind meeting their standards," Wachira Kaguongo of the National Potato Council said in a statement. Business Daily know. In Kenyan agriculture, potatoes are the second most important crop, after maize. Potatoes are grown in Kenya by 800.000 largely small-scale farmers. It is estimated that the potato chain employs 2,5 million people and contributes approximately €390 million to the Kenyan economy.
Previously, McDonald's also had to deal with a French fries shortage. Last week it was announced that the fast food chain three Boeing 747 loads flew to Japan with potatoes.
Jurphaas Lugtenburg
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