Avocado export ban extended indefinitely
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has extended the suspension of the export of Hass and Fuerte varieties of avocado fruit indefinetely.
The export ban, which was first effected in November last year, seeks to prevent the harvest and exportation of immature avocado fruit.
Exports of the Jumbo avocado variety will, however, continue albeit capped by volume.
Avocado has been a major contributor of income for traders in the horticulture segment in Kenya, raking in nearly half of the total returns from fruit exports.
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In 2018, Kenya’s avocado market in the Middle East was hit following the shipment of low-quality crop caused by immature harvest of the fruit.
Unscrupulous traders have seen farmers pick young fruits as they seek to take advantage of high prices of the commodity in the international markets.
At the moment, Kenya is the top avocado exporter in Africa with Mexico and Peru, who export their produce in June being her competitors.
Data from the Horticulture Crops Directorate shows that Kenya topped Africa’s avocado exports in 2021 and was among the top 10 sources of avacado globally.
Murang’a county accounts for a third of all the avocadoes exported from Kenya.
