Kenya is a significant producer and exporter of avocados. According to the latest official FAO statistics, Kenya is currently the world's seventh largest producer of avocados, with planted area at nearly 15,000 hectares and production at 234,000 metric tons in 2018.
To ripen your fruit within days, simply pop them into a brown paper bag, use a food clip to close the bag and leave it on the kitchen top until the weekend. Avocados naturally slowly release ethylene gas, which is the chemical that makes them ripen.
Last year, Kenya topped the list of Africa's avocado exporters; it was among the world's top 10 producers. Still, the country only exported 10 percent of its total avocado production. This makes it clear that the nation's market potential is not fully exploited.
An avocado tree yields 230-320 kg (7.5-11 t ha–1) of fruit per year. Grafted trees start bearing after 3-4 years after planting but economical crop is obtainable from the sixth year.
According to Currier, “an extremely good” grower might get 15,000 pounds per acre, but the average for the state is more like 5,500 pounds. Fallbrook grove owner Folkedale says the profit from every 60 or 70 avocado trees equals about $3,000 per year after expenses, not including taxes.
As a thought experiment, a gigantic 2,000 acre avocado operation could yield 10,000 pounds per acre on a good year and, if everybody else has a moderate year and the wholesale price is a solid $1 per pound, so a single huge ranch could clear $20M gross, about half of that gross profits.
Until they're fully ripe, avocados should be stored at room temperature. Placing an unripe avocado in the refrigerator will slow the ripening process, but the same concept applies to ripe avocados: put them in the refrigerator to keep them at their prime ripeness for longer.
The basics: Put your rock-avocado in a paper bag, roll up the top and let it sit on the counter for 24 to 48 hours or until ripe (a ripe avocado is dark green-black in color, and the fruit will give slightly when gently pressed) when you want to ripen an avocado in 12 hours.
Eating an avocado a day is good for your health. ... A 2018 analysis of 10 studies found an increase in HDL (protective cholesterol) in people who consumed an average of 1 to 3.7 avocados daily. While this might seem like a lot of avocados, remember that most guacamole recipes utilize about one avocado per person.
Who is benefiting?
The NTF III project works directly with 12 selected avocado exporters and farmers groups to increase the competitiveness of the sector. The project is focusing on farmers groups comprised of smallholders farmers that need the most support to increase their livelihoods.
The main Trade Support Institution (TSI) beneficiaries are the Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD), Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK), and the Export Promotion Council (EPC). Other companies and institutions, as well as Kenya as a country are also benefiting indirectly from enhanced sector competitiveness, increased exports and job creation.
RANCHON, Adrien
Project Manager – Kenya Avocado
Netherlands Trust Fund Programme Phase III (NTF III)
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