Harvesting of Premature Avocados Hurting Kenya’s International Markets

Kenyan avocados have always been the best but rampant harvesting of the premature fruits is ruining its reputation, the Avocado Society of Kenya says.
According to Alex Muthomi, the society’s Chief Executive, there are concerns that the idea of harvesting avocados that haven’t reached maturity may lead to international buyers shunning the fruits from Kenya.
Immature avocados hardly fetch the right amount of cash. Furthermore, its exports have often been rejected, a scenario that forces sellers to seek alternative markets in other countries.
READ
- A Look at the Current State of Avocado Farming in Kenya
- Kenya Leads as the Biggest Avocado Producer in Africa
Muthomi emphasized the need for thorough sensitization and equipping farmers with the right skills that will enable them to harvest avocados that are up to par with industry standards.
Speaking at Murang’a University of Technology during an avocado exhibition and conference held on March 22, Muthomi noted that the international demand for the fruit is high, which has forced farmers who want quick cash to harvest avocados early.
“In the European market where our avocados are traded, sometimes buyers opt to buy from other countries when they find out fruits are not mature,” he noted.
Greed
According to Muthomi, exporters who purchase the fruit from farmers without considering whether the avocados have reached maturity are largely to blame.
The premature fruits, in storage, do not ripen but darken and begin rotting leading to tremendous losses.
As a countermeasure, the society said that it will embark on training its 8,000 members as well as 81 traders to make sure that the avocados that reach the market are of the appropriate quality.
Also, the society looks to encourage more farmers to venture into avocado farming claiming that there is a big international market gap that needs to be filled, particularly after China expressed interest in Kenyan avocados.
SEE China’s Deal to Provide Kenyan Farmers with Over 40 Percent Fresh Produce Market
Currently, Murang’a leads with 57 percent production among the avocado producing counties. The county produces mostly the Hass and Fuete varieties.
On that note, Paul Mbugua, Kakuzi Ltd Commercial Manager said that the Hass avocados should not be harvested before March while that of Pinkerton variety should be done from February of every year.
The prices of avocados as of March 26 ranges from 800 shillings per 90kg bag, the lowest in Kisii, and 4,000 shillings for a 90kg bag in Mombasa. The same quantity of the product goes for 3,000 shillings in Nairobi, and 3,800 shillings in Eldoret.
READ ALSO South Africa Lifts 11-Year-Old Avocado Ban
About Soko Directory Team
Soko Directory is a Financial and Markets digital portal that tracks brands, listed firms on the NSE, SMEs and trend setters in the markets eco-system. Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/SokoDirectory and on Twitter: twitter.com/SokoDirectory
- January 2025 (118)
- February 2025 (74)
- January 2024 (238)
- February 2024 (227)
- March 2024 (190)
- April 2024 (133)
- May 2024 (157)
- June 2024 (145)
- July 2024 (136)
- August 2024 (154)
- September 2024 (212)
- October 2024 (255)
- November 2024 (196)
- December 2024 (143)
- January 2023 (182)
- February 2023 (203)
- March 2023 (322)
- April 2023 (298)
- May 2023 (268)
- June 2023 (214)
- July 2023 (212)
- August 2023 (257)
- September 2023 (237)
- October 2023 (264)
- November 2023 (286)
- December 2023 (177)
- January 2022 (293)
- February 2022 (329)
- March 2022 (358)
- April 2022 (292)
- May 2022 (271)
- June 2022 (232)
- July 2022 (278)
- August 2022 (253)
- September 2022 (246)
- October 2022 (196)
- November 2022 (232)
- December 2022 (167)
- January 2021 (182)
- February 2021 (227)
- March 2021 (325)
- April 2021 (259)
- May 2021 (285)
- June 2021 (272)
- July 2021 (277)
- August 2021 (232)
- September 2021 (271)
- October 2021 (304)
- November 2021 (364)
- December 2021 (249)
- January 2020 (272)
- February 2020 (310)
- March 2020 (390)
- April 2020 (321)
- May 2020 (335)
- June 2020 (327)
- July 2020 (333)
- August 2020 (276)
- September 2020 (214)
- October 2020 (233)
- November 2020 (242)
- December 2020 (187)
- January 2019 (251)
- February 2019 (215)
- March 2019 (283)
- April 2019 (254)
- May 2019 (269)
- June 2019 (249)
- July 2019 (335)
- August 2019 (293)
- September 2019 (306)
- October 2019 (313)
- November 2019 (362)
- December 2019 (318)
- January 2018 (291)
- February 2018 (213)
- March 2018 (275)
- April 2018 (223)
- May 2018 (235)
- June 2018 (176)
- July 2018 (256)
- August 2018 (247)
- September 2018 (255)
- October 2018 (282)
- November 2018 (282)
- December 2018 (184)
- January 2017 (183)
- February 2017 (194)
- March 2017 (207)
- April 2017 (104)
- May 2017 (169)
- June 2017 (205)
- July 2017 (189)
- August 2017 (195)
- September 2017 (186)
- October 2017 (235)
- November 2017 (253)
- December 2017 (266)
- January 2016 (164)
- February 2016 (165)
- March 2016 (189)
- April 2016 (143)
- May 2016 (245)
- June 2016 (182)
- July 2016 (271)
- August 2016 (247)
- September 2016 (233)
- October 2016 (191)
- November 2016 (243)
- December 2016 (153)
- January 2015 (1)
- February 2015 (4)
- March 2015 (164)
- April 2015 (107)
- May 2015 (116)
- June 2015 (119)
- July 2015 (145)
- August 2015 (157)
- September 2015 (186)
- October 2015 (169)
- November 2015 (173)
- December 2015 (205)
- March 2014 (2)
- March 2013 (10)
- June 2013 (1)
- March 2012 (7)
- April 2012 (15)
- May 2012 (1)
- July 2012 (1)
- August 2012 (4)
- October 2012 (2)
- November 2012 (2)
- December 2012 (1)