The country’s earnings from avocado exports rose by 40% to Ksh 14 Billion from Ksh 10 Billion during the 12 month period ended October 2020 according to the latest data from the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK), an association that represents growers, exporters and service providers in the horticulture industry.
In the period under review, the country exported 68,000 tonnes, a 15% jump from 59,000 tonnes exported in a similar period in 2019.
According to data from FPEAK, Kenya is the world’s third-largest producer of avocados. Avocados are now the country’s leading fruit export, accounting for nearly one-fifth of its total horticultural exports.
“70% of the avocados are grown by smallholder farmers who have 5-20 trees per homestead, 20% by medium-scale farmers who have over 100 trees and 10% by large commercial plantations which have 10 hectares or more in production. Starting 11th November, we will close the avocado export season until February 2021.” the association said in a statement.
With a market share of 2.1%, Kenya was ranked 8th globally in 2019 in export of avocados behind Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Spain, Chile, Colombia and the United States.
Among the top exporters, the fastest-growing avocados exporters since 2015 were: Colombia (up 1,607%), Dominican Republic (up 424.2%), Morocco (up 206.6%) and Kenya (up 161.5%).
