State agency on Tuesday warned mango exporters mixing the fruit with avocados to sneak out after a ban was imposed last week to allow avocados to mature.
In a notice to mango exporters, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) noted that it had received reports that some avocado exporters were colluding with mango exporters.
“It has come to our attention that following the closure of the Avocado harvesting season and export by sea, some exporters are mixing consignments of Mango with Avocado for sea shipment. This is against the provisions of the Crops (Horticultural Crops) Regulations, 2020 Section 20(5),” read part of the notice.
Kenya exports mangos to the Middle East market, with small quantities of processed while dried fruit is exported to the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Italy.
The authority has since directed all mango exporters to file an online application for the physical inspection of mango consignments before permission is granted for shipment.
According to the authority, the application should state the location of the pack house to facilitate inspection.
The inspection will ensure that the quantity being exported for which the permit is being sought fully constitutes mango fruits.
“In view of the above, all Mango exporters are therefore notified that with effect from Monday 13th November 2023, they are required to, apply for physical inspection of Mango consignments,” AFA directed.
Mango exporters who fail to comply with the new directive risk losing their licenses.
AFA last week banned the export of avocados to allow the fruits to mature before resuming.
“Following the findings of the survey, we hereby notify the Kenyan avocado stakeholders that the closing of Hass, Pinkerton, Fuerte, and Jumbo harvesting season and export by sea for the 2023/2024 fiscal year shall be in force with effect from November 3, 2023,” AFA Director-General Willis Audi stated.
The country exports about 20,000 metric tons of avocado annually with China being the largest market.
