The government on Tuesday announced plans to ban the export of Hass, Pinkerton, Fuerte and Jumbo avocado varieties through the sea from October 25 this year.
In a notice issued by the Agriculture and Food Authority, the government clarified that the decision to ban the export of the three avocado varieties was reached following a survey that indicated insufficient avocado production in the current season.
The agency went ahead to notify avocado farmers that sea exports would be banned in the next four days and that avocado exports would only be undertaken through air transport.
“Export clearance shall be granted subject to inspection by the Directorate. Traceability information will be required for all consignments. The notice applies to all exporters, importers and processors of avocado fruit,” read part of the notice.
“The Directorate shall continue to closely monitor avocado maturity trends and patterns, review the notice in the first week of December 2024 and guide appropriately.”
Following the imminent export ban on avocado consignment, the government warned fruit exporters against mixing their mango consignment with avocado fruits during export through the sea.
According to the Agriculture and Food Authority, the body had received reports that a section of exporters were planning to mix mango and avocado consignment during shipment following the government’s decision to ban avocado export.
“It has come to our attention that following the closure of the avocado harvesting season and export by sea, some exporters mix consignments of Mango with Avocado for sea shipment. This is against the provisions of the Crops (Horticultural Crops) Regulations, 2020 Section 20(5),” the agency noted.
Following the reports, all fruit exporters were directed to undergo inspection by the directorate of inspection before an export certificate was issued in line with the Horticulture and Crops Regulations 2020.
Mango exporters were ordered to ensure that the quantity of the fruit being exported fully constituted mango fruits in the consignment. Subsequently, the fruit exporters were urged to comply with the guidelines.
"Those seeking to apply for physical inspection of mango consignments can do it through directorhcd@afa.go.ke and comply the same to hcdtechnical@gmail.com. The application should clearly state the location of the pack house to facilitate inspection," mango exporters were directed.
"Mango exporters are required to demonstrate compliance with the above guidelines, without which an export permit for the consignment shall not be issued," the notice read further.
