Kenya announces closure of avocado export season for 2024/2025

KENYA – The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), through its Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD), has announced the closure of Kenya’s avocado export season for sea shipments starting on October 25, 2024.

This decision follows surveys indicating insufficient avocado volumes to continue sea exports, as part of efforts to sustain market growth and protect future production cycles.

Kenya’s position as a leading avocado exporter remains strong, with Hass, Pinkerton, Fuerte, and Jumbo being the primary varieties shipped globally.

However, a recent countrywide survey by the AFA-HCD revealed a shortage of mature avocados, prompting the halt of sea exports for these varieties.

The authority emphasized the importance of this measure to avoid harvesting immature avocados, which can disrupt crop cycles and reduce yields in subsequent seasons.

“There is currently insufficient volume of the main season crop to warrant sea shipment,” the AFA explained in the notice. By controlling exports, the agency aims to maintain quality and prevent any long-term impacts on Kenya’s growing avocado industry.

Air shipments to continue

While sea exports will be halted, air shipments of these avocado varieties will continue, allowing exporters to meet existing market demands.

However, strict quality controls will remain in place. All consignments must undergo inspection by the AFA-HCD, and exporters must provide traceability information to ensure only mature avocados are shipped.

The AFA will continue monitoring crop maturity trends and is set to review this directive in December 2024. “We are committed to reviewing these measures regularly to ensure a balanced and stable market,” stated AFA directive.

Kenya’s avocado exports have shown impressive growth in 2024, with a total of 16,000 tons exported by August, an increase from 14,000 tons in the same period in 2023.

The rise in demand for Kenyan avocados, particularly in the European Union, China, and the United Arab Emirates, is contributing to the expansion of avocado farming across the country. More farmers are investing in avocado cultivation as global demand continues to rise.

Mango export season begins

As the avocado season closes, attention now shifts to mango exports. Kenya exports fresh mangoes primarily to the Middle East, with smaller quantities reaching markets in Europe, such as the Netherlands and the UK.

In light of the new mango season, the AFA has reminded exporters that mixing avocado and mango shipments is prohibited under Kenyan regulations.

“All produce for export must undergo inspection by the Directorate,” the AFA reiterated, adding that exporters found non-compliant will not receive export permits. Applications for inspection can be submitted online to ensure timely processing.

Registration of marketing agents for mango season

In a related development, the AFA has issued a notice requiring all marketing agents involved in mango trading to register with the authority.

This is part of efforts to streamline the industry and address complaints from farmers about delayed payments from some traders.

“Farmers are advised to supply produce to registered marketing agents only,” the notice stated. This measure is intended to ensure fair trade practices and safeguard farmers’ interests.

The registration process will begin in late October 2024, with agents required to register through the AFA-IMIS platform or at designated AFA offices across Kenya.

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