Following a multi-year process, Kenya has finally gained market access to China for fresh avocado exports. Kenyan avocados that meet the stipulated phytosanitary protocols may be exported to China as of 1 June 2022. The Kenyan government has expressed the hope that China will eventually import 40% of Kenya’s avocados, which would make China the largest international market for Kenyan avocados.
Gaining market access to China will be a vital first step in expanding the export potential of fresh Kenyan avocados. However, producers and packhouses need to overcome numerous obstacles for their produce to meet the required phytosanitary protocols and qualify for export. According to the protocols, only Hass avocados originating from orchards and packhouses registered with and approved by the KEPHIS (Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service) and GACC qualify for export to China. Furthermore, orchards must demonstrate they are following GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) and have an integrated pest management plan in place to eliminate nine pests of concern laid out in the protocols. These pests include three types of fruit flies: the Mediterranean fruit fly, the mango fruit fly and the Natal fruit fly. Also, Fresh avocados exported to China must be fumigated with methyl bromide under the supervision of KEPHIS. A series of additional requirements are in place regarding the processing, cleaning and storage of avocados destined for the Chinese market.
Kenya is Africa’s largest producer and exporter of avocados, which account for nearly half of the country’s total fruit exports. Kenya exported 84,500mt of avocados in 2021, which is a 20.20% increase compared to the 70,300mt exported in 2020, indicating a growing export industry. Major export destinations include the Netherlands, UAE, and France. According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation), Kenya exported only 21.79% of the 322,556mt avocados produced in 2020, an indicator that the market potential is not fully exploited with avocados available for export to China. A fraction of avocados are processed (e.g. frozen slices and pulp, packaged guacamole, avocado oil) and exported, but the vast majority are consumed domestically in Kenya.
Source: Tridge
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