Kenya Becomes Africa’s Top Avocado Exporter

The increased demand that the Kenyan avocado has generated in the global sphere has seen the country take a lead as Africa’s top exporter of the commodity, surpassing South Africa.

This comes at a time when the government is eyeing Indian and China markets for exports as it seeks to expand its reach beyond the traditional market.

In the global markets, Kenya is the sixth largest exporter of the commodity. The country accounts for 81.6 percent of EAC avocado fruit produce. The Hass variety which is the most grown variety in Kenya has generated a lot of interest in the export markets owing to its long shelf life and taste.

The key buyers for Kenyan avocado are the Netherlands, the United Arabs Emirates, France, Spain, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

According to Horticulture Crops Directorate (HCD) 2017-2018 validated report, avocadoes accounted for 84.48 percent of Kenyan fruits exported.

The 2021 avocado exports in Kenya increased 24 percent to 87,000 tons from 72,000tons exported in 2020, signaling a surging demand for the fruit in the international markets despite the impacts of the covid 19 pandemic.

However, the value of the commodity exports in 2021 declined to USD 133.15 million from USD 133.63 million recorded in a similar period the previous year. At the same time, the value per kilo dropped to USD 1.53 from USD 1.90 during the period under review.

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The drop was on the back of the export of immature fruits as well as poor post-harvest mechanisms.

In Kenya, Murang’a leads in the production of avocado with more than 80 percent of the produce destined for the export market. It is then followed by Nyeri, Kiambu, and Kisii counties. Murang’a avocado has the highest demand in the market owing to its quality.

According to the Avocado Society of Kenya, there are more than 100 varieties of avocado, but only four have reached international markets. These include Fuerte, Hass, Pankay, and Jumbo.

Hass and Fuerte varieties are harvested and exported between March and November while the Jumbo variety is exported in small quantities throughout the year.

In a bid to curb the export of immature fruits, the country imposes a two- to – three-month close of the season every year.

“To meet international quality standards, avocados should be harvested when mature, intact, clean, free from external moisture, and free from pests or damage,” Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK) CEO Mr Hosea Machuki said.