In order to protect the brand image of the Kenyan avocado on international markets, the authorities had already limited export periods to curb harvests of immature fruits. Now, AFA (Agriculture and Food Authority) announces that the maturity criteria are tightened for exported avocados.
From now on Kenya will export avocados (Hass and Fuerte varieties) containing at least 24% dry matter, said Benjamin Tito, director of the Horticultural Crops Directorate at the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA).
"The move is aimed at improving fruit quality in line with global market requirements, maintaining and enhancing Kenya's competitiveness in the export market," said Benjamin Tito, director of the Horticultural Crops Directorate at AFA.
In the past, the European Union and the United Arab Emirates had issued numerous complaints regarding the quality of avocados exported by Kenya. Due to increased international demand, Kenyan farmers had been harvesting and exporting immature avocados even during the low season. To solve this problem, the AFA had suspended exports during this period.
Kenya in 2021 earned KES 14.48 billion (around USD 124 million) from exported avocados, a figure that is expected to reach USD 155 million this year, according to the AFA.