Kenya Set To Start Exporting Avocadoes To Malaysia

By Jane Muia / Published August 25, 2022 | 11:48 am

KEY POINTS

The Avocado Society of Kenya says that the country has more than 100 varieties of avocado, but only four have reached international markets. These include Fuerte, Hass, Pankay, and Jumbo.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

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.

Kenya is set to start exporting avocadoes to Malaysia in a move to expand its markets beyond the traditional reach. This will take effect after a pest audit is finalized by delegations from the Asian nation.

If the deal sails through, Malaysia will be the latest Kenyan avocadoes destination after china. The country is seeking to import both Fuerte and Hass avocado varieties from Kenya by the end of the year. India and Mauritius have also expressed interest in Kenyan avocadoes and have so far finalized inspections on the Kenyan orchards and processing facilities.

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.

Recently the country commenced export of green gold to China where it is fetching better prices. For instance, a kilogram of fruit in China is now fetching $8 (Sh970) when compared to the $6 (Sh729) offered by the traditional European market.

Some firms including the Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (FPCK) and Kakuzi Limited have confirmed that they are making at least $8 for every kilogram of the premium avocado sold to China.

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.

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

The Avocado Society of Kenya says that the country has more than 100 varieties of avocado, but only four have reached international markets. These include Fuerte, Hass, Pankay, and Jumbo.

The country is now seeking to increase its horticultural exports. This is as another Jordanian delegation toured a Kenyan hot water vapor mango treatment plant at an industrial area in Nairobi, as they plan to start importing mangoes from Kenya.