Avocado exports from Kenya will resume in two weeks, ending a four-month suspension imposed by the Agricultural Food Authority (AFA).
The ‘ban‘, which was initiated by the Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) in November last year to ensure the maturity and quality of exported fruit, will be lifted on March 1.
However, the sea exports of Fuerte and Hass varieties will remain restricted to size code 20 (184 grams) until the open export window begins.
The government had suspended the export of Hass, Pinkerton, Fuerte, and Jumbo avocado varieties by sea, opting for air transport for restricted small quantities to prevent the export of unripe fruit that had previously tarnished Kenya’s reputation in international markets.
The decision to lift the suspension followed avocado field surveys conducted by the AFA between January 7 and 12, to assess the maturity and volume of fruit in key production areas across the country.