Hass avocado farmers in the country will be able to harvest and export their produce by sea starting this month, two months after the government declared the variety not ready for export.
In a statement on Tuesday, March 11, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Director General Bruno Linyiru said that harvesting Hass avocados for export will kick off on March 17, 2025.
The authority suspended the harvesting of avocados for export by sea on October 25, 2024. According to the government, the fruits were not yet ready for export.
Upon surveying in January 2025, the authority determined that the Hass variety was still not ready for harvest, unlike other varieties, such as the Fuerte and Pinkerton, which had already reached maturity and were ready for harvest and export by then.
"The avocado harvest and export by sea season was suspended with effect from 25th October 2024. The Authority undertook a survey in January 2025 and found that the Hass variety was still immature, but the Fuerte and Pinkerton varieties had reached the desired maturity and had adequate volumes for export by sea shipment. Consequently, the Authority opened Fuerte and Pinkerton harvesting for sea shipment with effect from 7th February 2025," it stated.
"The harvesting of avocados (Hass Variety) for export by sea shipment will come into force with effect from 17 March 2025. Export clearance for Hass shall then be granted subject to packhouse inspection only," it added.
The Authority has thus directed Hass Avocado exporters to submit a list of their Horticulture Produce Marketing Agents (HPMA) before March 15, 2025.
Linyuri further noted that all exporters will be required to apply for a packing house at least three days before their shipment is dispatched.
Exporters have further been urged to transact strictly with licensed marketing agents.
Additionally, the authority has warned that exporters found transporting avocados without crates or on open pickup trucks or Probox vehicles shall be penalized.
"All export products will be subjected to pack-house inspection by AFA-HCD inspectors. All exporters are required to apply for inspection at least three days before shipment," he stated.
"Fruits sourced from other East African Community (EAC) member countries, according to the authority, will be subjected to the same requirements in addition to having relevant import documents," it added.
