Kenya suspends avocado sea exports from October 30 due to low harvest volumes

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Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has announced the closure of the avocado harvesting season for sea exports, effective October 30, 2026, following a nationwide assessment that identified insufficient harvest volumes to support shipments.

In a notice issued on October 28, AFA Director General Calistus Efukho said the Horticultural Crops Directorate had surveyed major avocado-growing regions to assess current crop conditions and forecast availability for the next main season.

The restrictions apply to Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton, and Jumbo avocado varieties. However, exports of these varieties by air freight will remain permitted.

All avocado export consignments will continue to undergo inspection by the Horticultural Crops Directorate, with exporters required to provide traceability documentation for each shipment.

The AFA has also suspended avocado harvesting for oil processing. Processors holding existing avocado oil stocks intended for export must request verification through the Directorate by November 2, 2026. Only stocks verified and cleared before this deadline will be eligible for export.

Additionally, the importation of avocado fruit for oil processing has been prohibited during the closure. According to the authority, this measure is intended to prevent immature locally harvested avocados from being presented as imported fruit.

Mango export requirements
The AFA has also issued instructions to mango exporters following reports that some operators have been mixing mango consignments with avocados for sea shipment, contrary to Section 20(5) of the Crops (Horticultural Crops) Regulations, 2020.

Mango exporters must ensure that consignments submitted for export permits contain only mangoes. All produce intended for export must undergo inspection before an export certificate can be issued.

Exporters must apply for physical inspection of mango consignments through the Directorate’s online system, specifying the location of the packhouse where inspections will take place.

The authority warned that export permits will not be issued for consignments that fail to comply with these requirements.

Avocado exporters and oil processors found violating the season closure guidelines may have their export licences revoked, while non-compliant export consignments will not receive permits.

Source: Kenyans

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Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies