Demand for avocados has soared globally in recent years as consumers become aware of their health benefits. Kenya is now Africa’s largest producer of avocados exporting about 80,000 tons annually. The country ships produce to Europe, the Middle East and also trades with other African countries including Egypt and South Africa and.
Farmers in Kenya are starting to shift from traditionally grown maize to avocados because of their better prices and yields. Small-scale farmers are shifting to avocados because of poor maize sales and changing weather patterns. Also, these farmers are able to harvest the crop continuously for eight months.
The country has also ventured into the Asian market in August this year, becoming the first African country to export fresh avocados to China. Kenya offers a favorable climate to grow avocados with many farmers investing in the Hass variety for export which tolerates different rainfall conditions and diseases. The variety is also easy to propagate.
Source: tvpworld.com