BURUNDI – Burundi’s avocado industry is setting its sights on new horizons as the country aims to boost its export market.

Jenika, a leading producer-exporter based in Burundi, is actively seeking direct partnerships to ensure better returns for local growers.

Jenika primarily grows green beans for the local market but exports nearly all its Hass avocados to Europe and the Middle East. “We have our own avocado farm with 500 trees,” said Jessy Katia Niyonkuru, founder and CEO of Jenika. “When demand is high, we also collaborate with other growers.”

Despite the promising demand for avocados, Niyonkuru acknowledges that the company’s immediate focus is on securing improved contracts and better prices for the growers. “Most of our produce ends up in Europe and the UAE, but it travels through Tanzania and Kenya, so I’m looking for direct partners,” she explained.

While Burundi benefits from low labor costs, Niyonkuru is committed to ensuring fair wages for workers. “This should be part of a company’s mission,” she noted. “I want to do something that benefits people for generations and helps develop our communities, not just deliver short-term profit.”

However, Jenika faces several challenges. One major issue is the Red Sea’s impact on shipping times. “This problem increases the journey time, which can be an issue for frozen vegetables,” Niyonkuru said.

Climate change also poses a significant threat. A report by Christian Aid predicts that avocado production regions may shrink by 14-41 percent by 2050. Jolis Bigirimana, an avocado farmer and president of Farmer’s Pride Burundi, highlighted the severity of the issue.

“We are experiencing hot temperatures, heavy rain, and erosion,” he told Sky News. “These conditions are negatively impacting productivity and increasing costs for watering crops.”

Despite these challenges, Burundi is making notable strides in avocado production. Willy Nyamitwe, a senior aide to the president, reported that the country has planted eight million avocado trees.

This effort aims to position Burundi as a major avocado exporter in East Africa. Interestingly, market prices for avocados have decreased from 300 to 150 Burundian francs (about 20 to 10 US cents), making the fruit more affordable for many Burundians.

While the country’s production volume may still be growing, its commitment to expanding its avocado industry remains strong.

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