The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has announced that the closure of the avocado export season across the country will begin in the next ten days.
In a statement on Friday, October 10, AFA Director General Bruno Linyiru said that the closure will come into force on Monday, October 20. The authority attributed the closure to the insufficient volumes of avocado harvest in the country to guarantee sea shipment.
The authority has, however, noted that the export of Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton, and Jumbo varieties will continue by air shipment.
Exporters of these varieties will be required to obtain an export clearance from the directorate and provide traceability information.
The authority is likely to review the closure notice in the second week of January 2026 after it scrutinises avocado maturity trends across the country.
"The Authority has therefore been monitoring harvesting trends and recently undertook a countrywide survey in the major Avocado production zones to determine current production trends and forecast future production for the main season next year," AFA stated.
"The findings indicate that there is currently insufficient volume of main season crop to warrant sea shipment," it added.
Linyiru has further noted that before the closure begins, the agency will also conduct a verification process of avocado oil processors to determine the existing avocado oil stock and issue export permits.
The authority, which noted that it will no longer issue export permits to avocado oil processors after the closure, cautioned that companies that contravene the directive risk their licenses being revoked.
"Processors with oil stocks and planning to export oil during the closed season should request inspection through hcdcompliance@afa.go.ke. No permit shall be issued for export of avocado oil processed after closure of the harvesting season," he stated.
The authority, which claims that some exporters tend to mix avocados with mangoes to illegally export them during the closing period, stated that mango exporters should ensure they apply for inspection of mango consignments through the authority's compliance email to verify that their consignments consist only of mangoes.
"Following the closure of the Avocado harvesting season and export by sea, some exporters are shipping mango consignments with avocado, for sea shipment, against the provisions of Section 20 (5) of the Crops (Horticultural Crops) Regulations, 2020," AFA stated.
"The Authority hereby informs you that all produce for export is required to undergo inspection before an export certificate is issued. In this regard, all Mango exporters should:. Ensure that the quantity of mango being exported for which the permit is being sought fully constitutes mango fruits in the consignment," he added.
