Kenya has been ranked the top avocado producer in Africa and the 7th top producer of the commodity globally, with an annual production of 176,045 tonnes.
According to the latest report by the World of Statistics, Kenya is the only African country that managed to be on the top 10 list of the global top producers of avocados.
The leading producer was Mexico with 1,889,354 tonnes, Dominican Republic with 601,349, Peru with 455,394, Colombia with 309,431, and Indonesia with 304,938 tonnes per annum
Others are Brazil(195,492), the USA (172,630), Chile (137,365), and China (122,942), to close the top 10 list.
The key buyers for Kenyan avocados are the Netherlands, the United Arabs Emirates, France, Spain, Russia, and the United Kingdom, with China and Malaysia being the newest markets.
The Hass variety, which is the most grown variety in Kenya, is the most sought in the export markets owing to its long shelf life and taste.
Since it entered the Chinese market last year, the fruit has been fetching better prices, with a kilo going for about $8 (1,069.20 shillings) when compared to the $6 (801.90 shillings) offered by the traditional European market.
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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 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.
Kenya is still scouting for more markets for fruit to capitalize on the high demand it has created in the world markets.
Locally, Murang’a leads in the production of avocados, 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 the fruit, but only four have reached international markets. The four are Fuerte, Hass, Pankay, and Jumbo.
Kenya overtakes South Africa to become Africa’s top exporter of avocadoes
Hass and Fuerte varieties are harvested and exported between March and November, while the Jumbo variety is exported in small quantities throughout the year.
According to Horticulture Crops Directorate (HCD) 2017-2018 validated report, avocadoes accounted for 84.48 percent of Kenyan fruits exported.
