Kenya could soon offer avocados nearly throughout the entire year, Paul Kyalo, Managing Director of Kenyan tropical fruit exporter Konza Tropicals Limited, says: “The 2023 avocado season was good. However, we did see prices plummet from Mid-May arrivals until end of July, when we coincided with the Peruvian campaign, also with Tanzania and South Africa among summer origins. Kenya has an advantage of being able to make avocado offers from February to end of November, thanks to different ecological regions. Now, production is coming up from Kenyan regions that were not predominant avocado growing zones, such as the Rift Valley of Kenya. We are investing heavily in commercial avocado production and packhouses, with our new orchards domiciled within this Valley, to make offers nearly throughout the year.”
According to Kyalo, the demand for Kenyan avocados is increasing exponentially due to several factors: “We also had access to China market last year, and a good volume went into East Europe such as Ukraine and Russia, Middle East, and North Africa region (MENA) which reduced the price pressures experienced in Europe during the summer. On volumes, we shipped 20% more compared to the previous 2022 season. Demand is rising exponentially on the Kenyan avocado, due to a few factors. The Kenya Horticultural Regulator – Horticultural Crops Directorate is directing on seasonal timelines, based on dry matter developments of avocado. We now have a communication that the 2024 avocado season will start on March 1st, 2024.”
“Secondly, Kenyan growers are investing more into sustainable production, with new orchards coming up. Many export companies are working closely with smallholder farmers in disease and pest management, technical support, controlling the harvesting and post-harvest activities, which has a significant effect on enhancing quality at the farm level. We also see significant investments into modern packhouses, cold storage facilities and major shipping companies are also streamlining logistical solutions from Kenya. Lastly, over 90% of avocado production in Kenya is organic, and buyers have developed trust with Kenyan avocado as there are little concerns on pests and residue exceedance.”
It’s no news to anyone that the Kenyan avocado has found its way into the Chinese market, and although it’s been good for the exports, Kyalo does worry a bit about the requirements to get these avocados into China: “We had the first shipments into China early 2023 and the China market access is good news. However, concerns have been raised on the protocol requirement to fumigate avocados with Methyl Bromide, which on some occasions has resulted in quality deterioration of fruit upon arrival. We intent to work closely with our government agencies and key authorities to have the fumigation requirement relooked at. The desire of every exporter is to be able to ship avocados to China and elsewhere under the same protocols we have for the European market.”
Sufficient rainfall is extremely important for the Kenyan avocado cultivation. Kyalo explains that for this season, the rainfall and crops are looking positive. “Right now, our main concern is logistics with the red sea situation. Vessels must go round along the Cape of Good Hope, raising transit time by 8 to 15 days. Secondly, over 70% of avocado production in Kenya is rainfed. Therefore, climatic conditions, and in this case rainfall spread throughout the season, have a significant effect on volumes and avocado sizes. We’re happy to have recently received a good amount of rainfall since October 2023, and the 2024 avocado season crop is strong and promising with bigger calibers.”
“Avocado production in Kenya is growing significantly, with newer orchards coming into production as well as new orchards being set up. Key international avocado market players are also keen to set up avocado production in Kenya. New modern packhouses are being developed as well as avocado oil processing factories. Certainly, Kenya is the origin to watch in the future of avocado production, as a source of fresh avocado, bulk avocado oils as well as refined,” Kyalo concludes.
For more information:
Paul Kyalo
Konza Tropicals Limited
Mobile / WhatsApp : +254 711 214 869
Email: [email protected]
https://konzatropicals.com