Agriculture and Food Authority announced closure of avocado exports, Gives directives for EAC exports

Avocado

The Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) has announced that the avocado season for the 2023/2024 fiscal year will close on November 3, 2023. This means that the export of Hass, Pinkerton, Fuerte, and Jumbo avocados by sea will no longer be allowed after this date.

The HCD made the decision after conducting a survey to assess the maturity indices of avocado fruits in the major production zones. The survey found that many avocados are still immature, and harvesting them now could damage the crop cycle and reduce the quality of the fruit.

The HCD has said that air shipment of avocados within East Africa Community (EAC) region will still be allowed after November 3, 2023, but all consignments will be subject to inspection. Exporters will also be required to provide traceability information for all shipments.

Agriculture Director General Willis Audi said that the Ministry will continue to monitor avocado maturity trends and patterns, and may review the notice in mid-January 2024.

Avocado Farming
Avocado Farming in Kenya. Image source: File


The closure of the avocado season will have a number of implications for exporters, importers, and processors.

  1. Exporters will need to ensure that they have shipped all of their avocados by sea by November 3, 2023. Any avocados that are not shipped by this date will need to be stored or processed.
  2. Importers will need to adjust their procurement plans to account for the shorter avocado season. They may also need to pay higher prices for avocados that are air shipped.
  3. Processors will need to adjust their production schedules to account for the shorter avocado season. They may also need to source avocados from other countries to meet demand.

The closure of the avocado season is a positive development that will help to protect the quality of Country’s avocados and sustain the industry in the long term.

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