The Kenyan Government through Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) listed four conditions for farmers seeking to export avocados.
AFA further announced that the government would allow the exportation of avocados starting from March 24.
Only those who would have met the conditions would be allowed to export according to Benjamin Tito, AFA’s Director of the Horticultural Crops Directorate.
“The directorate undertook an avocado maturity field survey between March 6 and March 12 this year to ascertain the quality and volume of the avocado fruits in major production zones and established the fruits are ready for export," Tito stated.
The director though stated that farmers seeking to export avocados must apply for the inspection at least three days before the shipment of the produce.
The Authority further categorized avocados' sizes and weights, which will be eligible to export.
Farmers growing Fuerte, Hass, Jumbo and Pinkerton varieties of avocado were told the maximum size to export was code 26, which is equivalent to 144 grams.
AFA in their raft of conditions further required all exporters to submit a list of their horticultural produce marketing agents on or before March 16
“Exporters utilising marketing agents or suppliers without valid registration permits shall have their licenses revoked,” Tito warned farmers.
Finally, AFA stated that it is the responsibility of the dealer to guarantee compliance with regulatory, market and statutory requirements.
According to Trading Economics, Kenya is currently Africa’s top producer and third world’s largest producer of avocado behind Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
Avocado is also Kenya’s top export fruit with Murang’a County being the top producer of avocados in the country.
Kenya exports an average of 80,000 tonnes of avocados annually earning the country Ksh18 billion in 2022 according to Statista
This is What Killed Kariobangi North MCA Joel Munuve News Just In
