info.afrindex.com
China-Africa Trade Information Service
info.afrindex.com
China-Africa Trade Information Service
Photo from Internet
The biting shortage of tampons could last for another one month as suppliers of the female hygiene products grapple with import hitches.
Kim Fay East Africa, the local suppliers of Kotex tampons, have attributed the shortage to hitches in supply of raw materials used to produce the tampons.
On the other hand Radbone Clark Kenya, who import, market and sell OB tampons, have attributed shortage of their brand to the slow movement of cargo at the Mombasa Port following enforcement of more stringent inspection procedures by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and other State agencies.
Radbone Clark Kenya said the new port clearance procedures introduced late last year by KRA were an impediment to many businesses.
“Our products need no assembly since they come as finished products. However, the delay in clearing cargo lasts six to eight weeks and this is something we have been experiencing since September last year,” said a Radbone Clark official who requested anonymity to enable her speak candidly.
The new procedures, aimed at checking the inflow of fake products into the country, requires all consolidated cargo to be inspected by Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) appointed agents and issued with a Certificate of Inspection (COI) in the country of origin before importation.
A Kim Fay spokesperson cited “logistic issues” as the reason behind the over three-month shortage of Kotex tampons in local supermarkets.The shortage has caused widespread outcry on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
