Kenyan avocados gained access to the coveted Chinese market in June of this year, with the inaugural shipments occurring in July and August. The Kenyan avocado export season typically runs from mid-March to mid-November, concluding the 2022 season and ushering in the anticipation of the 2023 season. To gain insights into the industry\’s outlook for the upcoming year, Produce Report engaged with the Avocado Society of Kenya (ASOK).
In 2022, Kenya exported over $57 million worth of its prized \”green gold\” to China. Recognizing China\’s insatiable appetite for avocados, where both imports and domestic production are expected to rise in the coming years, ASOK has committed to increasing fruit production to bolster the supply destined for China. Newton Maina, the society\’s Sales and Marketing Manager, acknowledges that Kenya\’s limited avocado supply has been a significant constraint on expanding exports to China. Nonetheless, efforts to address this limitation are already underway. Maina stated, \”In 2023, we anticipate more than doubling our exports since we will commence shipments from the beginning of the season, starting in March.\”
Entering a new market is never without challenges, especially when established players like Peru, Mexico, and Chile dominate China\’s avocado landscape. Domestic production in China is also on the rise. Maina remains optimistic, asserting, \”We have confidence in the quality of Kenyan avocados, ensuring that our Chinese customers enjoy a superior dining experience whenever they select our fruit in supermarkets.\” ASOK plans to conduct promotional campaigns in Chinese media during the upcoming season. Regarding Tanzania, another significant African avocado producer that gained China\’s approval in November of the current year, ASOK observes that there is room for both Kenya and Tanzania in the vast Chinese market, with no direct competition perceived between the two neighbors.
Kenya boasts over 40 avocado varieties, with Hass, Fuerte, and Jumbo (or Kienyeji) being the primary three. Hass, the country\’s primary export variety, has also received China\’s approval. Maina points out that Kenyan Hass avocados are preferred in the market due to their exceptional quality, extended shelf life, and outstanding organoleptic characteristics, making them suitable for both gourmet and daily consumption. Kenya\’s favorable climatic conditions, characterized by low humidity and mild temperatures, contribute to stable crops and excellent flavor.
In response to reports of a three-month suspension of avocado exports imposed at the national level in November, ostensibly to discourage premature fruit harvesting that disrupts tree cropping cycles and reduces expected crop volumes, Maina explained the process for resuming shipments. The Horticulture Crops Directorate, a governmental institution, typically reopens the export window following the completion of dry matter assessments across all Kenyan avocado growing regions. Samples are collected and subjected to testing, and the results determine whether exports can resume. Maina highlighted that growers in their association employ two major methods to assess avocado maturity: a microwave testing method and, more recently, the use of an avocado quality meter machine.
ASOK functions as an association representing growers, exporters, and industry experts. The society supports farmers in establishing orchards, enhancing crop yields, provides guidance on bringing their fruit to market, and offers networking and promotional opportunities to its members. Maina noted, \”The Avocado Society of Kenya primarily represents the interests of its members and is not directly involved in exports. Nevertheless, concerning exports to China, some of Kenya\’s major avocado exporters have established agreements with Chinese wholesalers and retailers, contributing significantly to the industry\’s revenue this year.\”
Transporting Kenyan avocados to China has traditionally been by sea, a practice expected to continue in the upcoming season. Shipping typically takes approximately 28 days, meaning that Kenyan avocados for the next season should be available in China around April.