Hass avocado trees yield delicious, creamy, nutty fruit. Hass avocados account for 80% of the avocados eaten worldwide.
Benefits of Hass Avocado Farming in Kenya
Modern farmers have found a new goldmine in Hass avocado farming. Many county governments in Kenya are encouraging farmers to plant Hass avocados because:
- Hass avocados don’t require much labor and time to maintain.
- Hass avocado is a healthy food that is in high demand both in Kenya and in European countries.
- Hass avocados farmers earn good profits. They now sell a fruit at Sh 8 which they sold at Sh 1 a few years ago.
How to Identify Hass Avocados
Hass avocado trees:
- Are dense evergreens
- Have glossy, leathery leaves with a vein-like pattern
- Can grow up to two meters tall in a container or up to nine meters when planted in the ground
- Start bearing fruit in three – five years
On the tree, Hass avocados have green skin. The fruits ripen only after they are picked from the tree. They can also be left on the tree for several months after maturing.
The Hass avocado fruit:
- Has a dark green bumpy skin
- Reaches a purple-black shade when its fully ripe and ready to eat
- Is heavy, weighing between 200-300 grams
There are new Hass varieties like:
- Lavi Hass
- Lamb Hass
- Gem Hass
These Hass sub-varieties help extend the supply season.
Hass Avocado Variety in Kenya
The reasons why Hass avocado is preferred over other varieties are:
- Hass avocado trees have high yields compared to other varieties
- Hass avocados are higher in fat than other varieties. This makes them the best choice for the making of avocado oil
- Hass avocados have a richer taste and creamier texture due to their high fat content
- Hass avocado has the longest shelf life among all the varieties. The fruit can last up to two-three weeks, at room temperature, from the time of harvesting. This makes handling and shipment easy and convenient.
Hass Avocado Growing Areas in Kenya
Africa’s biggest producer is Kenya with about 30,000 acres under Hass avocado production.
Kenya is one of the few countries that enjoys equatorial climate. Counties in Kenya that have the best climatic conditions for Hass avocado cultivation are found in:
- Central Kenya
- Central Rift Valley
- Lower Nyanza
- Western Kenya
In Eastern Kenya, Hass avocados do well in certain pockets such as:
- Kang’undo
- Mua Hills
- Kathiani (Iveti hills)
- Parts of Mbooni
- Machakos
The high potential areas in larger Embu and Meru counties.
Hass Avocado Market
In Kenya, avocado is one of the most consumed fruits that is readily available in the market all year round. Locally, avocado is sold at the market place from between Sh10 to Sh50 depending on the size and quality.
There is a huge increase in the number of countries interested in Kenyan Hass avocados. These countries are:
- Russia,
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- European countries
- Iran
- Libya
- Egypt
Government Support in Hass Avocado Farming in Kenya
There is overwhelming support from the national government for farmers to plant Hass avocados. KEPHIS has been actively involved in monitoring and educating farmers and exporters on global market standards and regulations compliance.
Why is Hass Avocado Better?
Since the 1950s, the appetite for Hass avocados has continued to grow globally. This is because of:
- The multiple uses of avocados such as salad, smoothies and oil for cooking, hair and skin
- Hass avocados are seen as a healthy ‘super food’
- They have become a menu item in many restaurants around the world
- An increased interest in healthy diets has also encouraged greater consumption of Hass avocados
- Hass avocado is creating a lot of social media buzz. Many people on social media including celebrities are posting pictures of themselves enjoying the fruit.