Kenya suspends maritime avocado exports to protect market quality and sustainability

The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) will close the 2025/2026 season starting on October 20, prioritizing fruit maturity and sector stability.

Kenya's Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) announced the closure of the maritime export season for avocados for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, in order to preserve product quality and ensure the sustainability of international markets. The measure, which will take effect on October 20, aims to prevent the harvesting of unripe fruit and guarantee that the country maintains the standards demanded by global buyers.

The AFA explained that the decision is based on the results of a national survey that showed insufficient harvest volumes to sustain shipments by sea. However, exports of varieties such as Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton, and Jumbo will continue by air, while the suspension will also affect avocado oil processors. A similar measure was adopted in 2024, although it began on October 25.

The announcement has generated concern among local producers, especially in Nyandarua County, who are requesting a zonal assessment from the AFA instead of a uniform closure. They argue that the widespread suspension affects their income stream and discourages production, despite investments made in the crop. Kenya, the world's sixth-largest avocado producer and Africa's leading producer, recorded a production of 633,000 metric tons in 2023, a figure that fell by 11.2% in 2024 due to decreased rainfall. Murang'a remains the main producing region, accounting for approximately 25% of the national total.

Source: portalfruticola.com