Avocado Society of Kenya has appealed to the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) to reconsider its directive halting avocado exports.
AFA had announced closing of avocado harvesting season for sea shipment for the 2025/2026 Fiscal Year, the directive came to force from October 20, 2025.
In a closure notice issued by AFA Director General Brun Linyiru, however, indicates the export of Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton, and Jumbo varieties will continue by air shipment.
Avocado Society of Kenya CEO Muthomi Ernest stated that broad restrictions have historically proven ineffective.
It stated that the restrictions have created loopholes for circumvention and disproportionately hurt legitimate actors especially smallholder farmers, processors, and exporters who depend on this value chain for their livelihoods.
Muthomi said what is needed instead is discipline, transparency, and mutual respect among all players in the avocado supply chain growers, marketers, pack houses, exporters, and regulators working together in the best interest of the country.
“Issuing broad restrictions without prior stakeholder consultation is, therefore, misguided and counterproductive. Such measures risk thousands of jobs, hinder value addition, and erode investor confidence in a sector that contributes billions to Kenya’s economy,” the statement read.
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The association stated that the government should instead establish a minimum dry-matter threshold of ≥23% before opening the harvest season for both export and oil processing.
They should also conduct joint maturity and dry-matter surveys across producing counties before approving harvests.
AFA should enforce compliance through traceability, data-driven inspections, and targeted oversight and not sweeping restrictions.
This will ensure Kenya’s avocados meet international standards, reduce export rejections, and significantly increase oil yields, thereby enhancing foreign exchange earnings and protecting Kenya’s reputation as Africa’s avocado leader.
Additionally, regulatory agencies must consult all industry stakeholders to align decisions with verified data from the field.
By Obegi Malack
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