Government through the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency on Thursday, January 19, announced a two-week window for off-season avocado export.
The Agency stated that avocado farmers and orchids were allowed to export their produce between Monday, January 23, and Monday, February 6.
However, the export of mature Fuerte, Hass, Jumbo, and Pinkerton varieties were to be done only by sea.
“The move will allow farmers and orchards that have mature avocados to export the fruit within the time frame,” the agency stated.
The agency additionally encouraged farmers to invest in avocado farming as the market for the product was increasing.
“Avocado farming in Kenya has become a lucrative business with a wide market. Invest in the sector to enjoy the benefits,” Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency added.
The announcement followed a three-month export ban issued in November 15, 2022, by the ministry of agriculture.
The ministry ordered farmers to stop harvesting avocados to prevent premature harvesting of popular varieties of the fruit, including Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton, and Jumbo.
However, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, Kenya signed a trade deal with China that allowed local farmers to export frozen avocados to China.
The deal, signed during the China-Africa Fruits Promotion Conference held in Nairobi, was meant to enable farmers to benefit from local trade, making Kenya the first African nation to export frozen avocados.
Announcing the deal, Head of Horticulture Directorate Benjamin Tito stated that Kenya was making millions out of the export of the fruit.
“Kenya has exported 1.7 million kilograms of avocado worth Ksh7 billion since the country was allowed to ship fresh produce to China,” Tito stated.
