The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate (KEPHIS) has initiated talks with five countries for avocado exports as it seeks to expand its reach beyond the traditional market.

Kephis managing director Theophilus Mutui said they are in negotiations with the US, South Korea, Jordan, India, and Mauritius to add on the existing European and Middle-East markets that are currently major destinations for Kenya’s produce.

“We are negotiating for fresh market with these countries to expand our reach ahead of the expected increase in production,” he said.

Avocado production in Kenya has rapidly increased as more farms and pack houses tapped into the lucrative crop.

Initially, the country majorly relied on produce from Murang’a Nyeri, Kiambu, and Kisii counties, but production has presently expanded to Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, and Uasin Gishu counties.

Kenya exports Sh. 9 billion avocados to China in three months

The area under avocado cover has grown to more than 20,000 hectares, up from 7,000 hectares in 2013, as more awareness of the crop is created.

According to Mutui, the latest move will save farmers from possible losses occasioned by a lack of market or low prices fetched in the domestic market.

“If we do not scout for markets now, there would be more avocados than we can handle because of the huge production that is coming soon,” he said.

The quality assurance agency said they are at the pest assessment stage, where these new destination markets are examining the risks of pests on Kenya’s crop.

The Fall of the Hass Avocado Industry in Kenya

Kenya has been unable to reach some of the global markets for exports due to pests which have seen some markets, especially in Europe, ban its produce, including horticultural produce.

However, demand for Kenya’s avocado in the international market remains high, with other countries, including Malaysia and India, expressing interest.

The Hass variety is the most sought-after in the export markets owing to its long shelf life and taste. The top traditional buyers of Kenyan avocados are the Netherlands, the United Arabs Emirates, France, Spain, Russia, and the United Kingdom, with China being the latest big market.

In the three months to May 2023, Kenya exported seven million kilograms of Avocado to China, earning Sh9 billion.