The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has reviewed avocado post-harvest handling process to safeguard the export market following global demand surges for the fruit.
According to AFA, exporters will only be allowed to export avocado fruits with a minimum of 24 percent dry matter.
AFA’s director of horticulture crops Benjamin Tito says “the move is meant to improve fruit quality aspects in line with global market requirements, safeguard and enhance Kenya’s competitiveness in the export arena,”
Kenya has been facing challenges with her avocado exports in the recent past with some farmers harvesting and exporting immature fruits.
The European Union and the United Arab Emirates markets have previously raised issues with export of immature fruits from the Kenyan market.
AFA had initially banned avocado export during off season to prevent farmers from harvesting and exporting immature fruits.
Kenya earned a total of 14.48 billion shillings from avocado exports in 2021.