Avocado exports projected to earn Kenya Sh18b next year
By Mathew.Ndungu, March 22, 2022
Kenya’s avocado earnings are projected to increase from Sh14.48 billion generated last year to more than Sh18 billion before the end of 2022 following increased productivity across the country.
Ernest Muthomi, the CEO of Avocado Society of Kenya (ASK) said despite the government has put a stop to avocado export to discourage the exportation of immature avocados, demand for fruits is expected to grow from October and November enabling Kenyans to sell more.
“Some farmers are tempted to harvest the fruits when still immature for more earnings but this has been damaging our international market. We encourage our farmers to continue abiding by the rules of the game to ensure that our quality remains high for increased earnings,” he said.
Muthomi further attributed the projected increased sales to Kenyans having been allowed to export fresh avocado by the Chinese government. This Friday, ASK will convene major avocado farmers meeting at Kiambu Institute of Science and Technology in Kiambu County where farmers will be sensitised on quality farming and exportation policies.
“We will have exporters on board who have excelled in their work, farmers, government officers, seedlings sellers among other stakeholders to discuss the future of avocado farming and how we can better our quality for more earning abroad,” he said.