The government of Kenya has extended the avocado ban which took effect on November 15, 2021 to indefinite. Kenya Agriculture and Food authority director Benjamin Tito announced the extension and said the move is aimed at curbing the harvest and export of immature avocados.
The ban however exempts the export of jumbo avocado varieties and those having off-season crops. The food regulator noted the ban will remain in effect in order to control the export of immature avocados which have negatively impacted the image of the commodity in overseas markets.
Cropping cycle
“Harvesting and export of immature avocadoes have interfered with the cropping cycle of trees thereby reducing projected volumes in subsequent harvests. Exporters transporting avocados without appropriate packaging and on open pick-ups. Probox or canters contrary to the Crops regulations, 2020 shall be penalized,” said the director.
Kenya ranks as one of the largest avocado exporters in the world (11th in 2014) and has experienced rapid growth in exports over the last decade. Avocados are produced commercially in seven different provinces of Kenya. 70% of the avocados are grown by smallholder farmers who have 5-20 trees per homestead, 20% by medium scale farmers who have over 100 trees and 10% from commercial plantations which have 10 hectares or more in production.
The country was the leading exporter of avocado in Africa in 2020 but only exported 10% of its total avocado production. In the eleven months to November 2021, Kenya exported 70.3 million kilos worth Sh14,4billion overtaking tea and flower exports.
