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The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) is conducting a comprehensive survey in all avocado-growing regions to assess quantities and maturity levels of the fruit before deciding whether to lift a two-month harvesting suspension.

This after the Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) deployed field officers to avocado-producing counties for the assessment, as part of efforts to prevent the harvesting and exporting of immature avocados.

Christine Chezaro, the acting director of HCD, said the suspension two months ago was to ensure full fruit maturity. The survey will provide estimates of volumes to be harvested, guiding the decision to either lift the suspension or prolong it.

“This will enable the directorate to lift the suspension and allow farmers to start harvesting or not,” said Chezaro in a statement.

Chezaro emphasized the necessity of the suspension to maintain Kenya’s significant global market share by supplying quality avocados.

Kenya is a prominent avocado producer, exporting to key destinations such as the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, France, and Spain. In September 2023, Kenya expanded its global presence by exporting the first consignment of 400 kilograms of avocados to India.

The HCD has been monitoring avocado maturity trends and patterns and is set to offer further guidance after completing the survey in mid-January 2024.

On November 3, 2023, AFA suspended avocado exports for the 2023/2024 fiscal year, targeting varieties like Hass, Pinkerton, Fuerte, and Jumbo primarily grown for export. The move aimed to prevent the harvesting and exporting of immature avocados, protecting the integrity of the industry and sustaining the crop cycle.