In Nakuru County, Kenya, an avocado orchard near Lake Naivasha hosts over 2,500 trees. The farm, owned by Richard Wafula, is in the process of shipping approximately 10 containers of fresh avocados to China. Since 2019, Kenya has exported frozen avocados to China, but the CIIE 2022 event was utilized to promote fresh avocados, leading to a significant increase in exports. Presently, 30% of Kenya's fresh avocado exports are sent to China, with revenues escalating from US $1.08 million in 2022 to US $7.60 million in the first nine months of 2023, showcasing the expanding China-Africa cooperation in agriculture.
Kenya, being Africa's largest avocado exporter, sees a continuous rise in exports to China. This trade has positively impacted Kenyan farmers' lives, with the local agricultural department estimating a 30% to 50% increase in their annual incomes due to avocado exports to China. The shift to avocado farming, encouraged by the successful export to China, is noted by both small- and large-scale farmers, enhancing household incomes and prompting further investment in agro-processing. The potential for future exports of other fresh produce to China, as anticipated by Kenyan agricultural officials, marks a promising outlook for Kenya-China agricultural trade relations.
Source: standardmedia.co.ke