Of late, avocado prices in Kenya have hit the roof. An acute shortage in some markets has raised the standard of this fruit to an almost luxurious product. A few years back, the price for a reasonable size of this ‘green gold’ was as low as Sh10 or at most Sh30 from the local vendor. Now, the price of a fruit is averaging Sh60.
While the prices of avocados have been steadily rising even in the international markets, the recent absence of the fruit has been prompted by the Directorate of Horticulture’s decision to restrict exports. Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya Chief Executive Okisegere Ojepat attributed the high prices of avocados in the local market to the restricted export of the fruit, leading to controlled harvesting.
Due to restrictions, limited avocados are being exported until later next month as farmers are required to only sell mature fruits. “For that reason, there is little in the market,” said Ojepat.
[ Sh100 = €0.78 ]
Source: standardmedia.co.ke