Kenya’s avocado revenue reached Ksh19 billion in 2023

By Victor MUJIDU

Kenya has seen a significant increase in revenue from avocado exports, earning up to Ksh19 billion in recent years. The country’s avocado industry has experienced rapid growth as demand for Kenyan avocados continues to rise in international markets.

Kenyan avocados are highly sought after for their premium quality and taste, making them a popular choice among consumers around the world. The country’s avocado exports have expanded to countries such as Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, providing a steady source of income for Kenyan farmers.

The government of Kenya has been actively promoting the avocado industry, providing support and incentives to farmers to increase production and improve quality standards. This has led to a significant boost in avocado production and exports, contributing to the country’s overall economic growth.

With the global avocado market expected to continue expanding in the coming years, Kenya is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend and further increase its revenue from avocado exports. The country’s success in the avocado industry serves as a testament to the potential of the agricultural sector to drive economic growth and create opportunities for smallholder farmers.

“Avocado production escalated from 441,593 metric tons in 2022 to 518,500 metric tons in 2023, marking a 14.8 percent upswing,” Ms. Chesaro said during a stakeholder meeting in Nairobi.

As of 2023, the avocado value had grown to Ksh19.4 billion, representing a 12 per cent boost in foreign income from exports.

There has recently been an uptick in demand for clean-quality avocado seedlings, and the government intervention in supplying quality seedlings to farmers was well received by farmers. This tends to improve the season’s growing conditions, which is targeted to increase volumes in the new season.

Working closely with overseas markets such as China and India have given the Kenyan market a deep close pass. The pursuit and growth of international markets are the outcome of a strategy that has been implemented over the past five years and has led to a notable expansion of avocado farming.

Now that avocados grown during this time are coming into the market, worries about a possible surplus arise if new markets are not created.

The government acknowledged the anticipated surplus last year as non-traditional counties like Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, and Uasin Gishu embraced avocado cultivation.

Stakeholders in the industry credit this upward trend to the opening up of new markets and a dedication to adhering to international norms, which have decreased the amount of interception in the world market.

The average price of a kilo of Hass avocado in Kenya is between Sh20-Sh30 during a bountiful season. Prices in the local market for a single Hass avocado fruit start at Sh8 depending on size. But during the off-season, between November and February, Hass avocado in Kenya can go up to as high as Sh50 per kilo from Sh30.

Global trends

According to the latest research, the global Avocado market size was valued at USD 21523.78 million in 2022 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.08% during the forecast period, reaching USD 28976.03 million by 2028. Research has proved that avocado has high nutritional value.

Global Avocado Market size was valued at USD 16.69 billion in 2022 and is poised to grow from USD 18.33 billion in 2023 to USD 38.71 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.80% during the forecast period (2024-2031).