Traders Get Two Weeks To Export Off-Season Mature Avocado

Avocado exporters have two weeks to export off-season mature avocados following the closure of exports in November last year.

The horticulture directorate will allow farmers and Orchards to export mature avocadoes between January 23 and  February 6, 2023. The export for Fuerte, Hass, Jumbo, and Pinkerton varieties is however expected to be done by sea only.

Head of the directorate Benjamin Tito said the survey conducted in the first week of January showed that there is at least 10-35 percent off-season mature avocado in the east of Rift and 10-30 percent in the west of Rift, which needs to be exported.

The main season for the export of avocados starts on March 15 this year. Head of Horticulture Directorate Benjamin Tito earlier said Kenya exported 1.7 million kilograms of avocado since it was allowed to ship fresh produce to China.

The export of fresh avocados to China follows the early January 2022 signing of two protocols to facilitate bilateral trade, mainly the export of avocados and aquatic products from Kenya to China. In March, China allowed Kenya to start exporting fresh produce.

The fruit has been fetching better prices with a kilo going for about $8 (992.40 shillings) when compared to the $6 (744.30 shillings) offered by the traditional European market.

The fruit earned Kenya 7  Billion shillings in the three months to October last year exceeding the 6 billion shillings that were fetched in the first seven months of the year, signaling the high demand that the fruit has generated in the Asian Market. Other countries including Korea and Italy have in the last years been seeking to buy Kenyan avocados owing to their high-fat content.

Chief executive officer of the Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya Ojepat Okisegere called upon authorities to ensure compliance with the requirements to ensure Kenya’s produce is not intercepted for non-compliance.

The 2021 avocado exports in Kenya increased 24 percent to 87,000 tons from 72,000 tons exported in 2020, signaling a surging demand for the fruit in the international markets despite the impacts of the covid 19 pandemic. Kenya is still scouting for more markets for fruit to capitalize on the high demand it has created in the world markets.

Related Content: Avocado Exports to China Earn Kenya 7 Billion Shillings in 3 Months