KFC Kenya promises to source local potatoes amid public backlash over shortage of imported potatoes

Due to global standards, KFC does not source its potatoes locally but instead imports them in large quantities of pre-cut sliced blanched and frozen potatoes

CAPE TOWN, January 5 (ANA) – American fast-food chain KFC Kenya said that it promises to source local potatoes amid public backlash over a shortage of imported potatoes in the East African country.

Due to global standards, KFC does not source its potatoes locally but instead imports them in large quantities of pre-cut sliced blanched and frozen potatoes, writes news media outlet, Citizen Digital.

Amid the ongoing controversy, KFC on Tuesday issued a statement saying there could be an opportunity to source potatoes from local farmers should they meet its global standards.

The franchises’ restaurants in Kenya had stopped serving fries because of disruption to shipping caused by Covid-19, but Kenyans pointed out that local farmers had ample stocks of potatoes.

“Ships have been delayed for more than a month now, but we are working hard to restore as the first containers are arriving in the port tomorrow,” the firm’s chief executive for East Africa, Jacques Theunissen, said in an interview with the business news website Business Daily Africa on Monday.

According to KFC Kenya, the company does not source potatoes locally.

KFC customers took to the social media platform, Twitter, to express their anger that KFC does not source its potatoes in Kenya, blasting the franchise for not supporting local farmers.

Furthermore, KFC East Africa market’s CEO Jacques Theunissen said the franchise would still insist on high-quality potatoes while sourcing the produce locally.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Naomi Mackay