The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Authority on October 30 announced the end of avocado export season, after a survey to validate the maturity indices of the fruit in the primary production zones.
In a notice to all exporters, importers and processors, no export sales will be made beyond November 3.
“The closing of Hass, Pinkerton, Fuerte and Jumbo harvesting season and export by sea for the 2023/2024 fiscal year shall be in force with effect from 3 November 2023,” read the statement in part.
Additionally, Agriculture Director General Willis Audi stated that the export clearance would be subject to the directorate’s inspection.
“The export clearance (including fruit consignments from the EAC region) shall be granted for air shipment, subject to inspection by the Directorate.
Traceability information will be required for all consignments,” he stated.
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This directive followed the need to prepare for January’s season for minimal interruption of the crop cycle and curb harvesting of immature crops by hungry farmers and dealers.
“This includes ensuring that mature Avocado is harvested and exported, in a bid to sustain and grow our international markets and minimize interruption of the crop cycle occasioned by harvesting of immature Avocado,” the notice read in part.
Further the ministry stated that the measures were to ensure that mature Avocado is harvested and exported both locally and internationally since it is currently an off-season for avocados in Kenya.
Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD)
Notably, the Ministry of Agriculture noted that the Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) is mandated to develop, regulate, and promote the horticulture industry.
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The Directorate enforces sector Regulations to ensure that quality produce is marketed locally and internationally.
Additionally, the Director General noted that the Directorate would continue to monitor closely avocado maturity trends and patterns.
The review and guidelines notice would be issued in mid-January 2024.
Exports Countries
Further, the Ministry of Agriculture noted that Kenya is one of the leading producers of avocado in Africa with its key destination remaining to be the European Union.
“Some of the leading destinations for the Kenyan avocado include The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, France, Spain, Turkey, China, Germany, United Kingdom among others,” the notice read in part.
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Also, Kenya increased avocado shipments to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Georgia.
Notably, the newest avocado market is India after Kenya sealed a deal in August, to boost export trade between the two countries.
Avocado Growing Areas
Kenya is one of the top ten avocado growers in the world.
Notably, the central region is the country’s main producer of avocado. Murang’a County is one of the highest producers of avocados in Kenya and is responsible for more than 60% of the total exports
However, the government has been working to increase avocado production in the western counties.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Agriculture estimated that Kenya exported over 100,000 metric tons of avocados in 2022.
The export price per kilogram of avocados from Kenya for the past years have been increasing with the price rising to $3.03 per kg in 2022 from $2.55 in 2021.
