Nowadays, it is common to hear avocado toast, avocado smoothie or even avocado salad. But if anyone would have asked what an avocado is 30 years ago, many wouldn’t have known the answer. The creamy and healthy fruit has snuck into our lives becoming an essential food in homes and restaurants in Kenya and around the world.
Over the past 10 years, avocado production in Kenya has multiplied greatly. As of 2020, Kenya produced around 322,000 metric tons of avocado. The production volume increased from 264,000 metric tons in 2019. This a big rise from 145,000 metric tons of avocado produced in 2019.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says Kenya was among the top 10 largest producers of avocados in the world in 2020. But why is avocado the fastest growing export crop from Kenya? Rising global demand and profitable prices in the export market are the main reasons behind the growth.
Global Avocado Market
Many people are now turning into health-conscious consumers and therefore are eating avocados like never before. Today, avocados are among the most traded fruits in the world. Avocados are very versatile when it comes to taste, flavor and health benefits.
Avocados deliver a variety of health benefits and are a versatile ingredient when cooking. They are a great source of nutrients and they can help lower LDL cholesterol. They can also keep you satisfied longer.
Part of the avocado’s rapid rise can be attributed to Millennials. Since Millennials are the most social media savvy generation, they have made avocado a trendy food item on social media platforms. Now more restaurants and cookbooks are now popularizing the dish.
Profitability of Avocado Farming in Kenya
Commercial avocado harvesting in Kenya started in the 1970s. But its only recently that farmers in Kenya have jumped on the avocado bandwagon. Many farmers have abandoned their traditional crops such as maize, tea, coffee, sugarcane and started planting the popular fruit that was once rarely grown in Kenya.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) says Kenya is now the biggest avocado exporter in Africa, bumping South Africa from the top. Kenya has a unique advantage in exporting the fruit. Kenya avocados reach the export market during the end of South Africa’s harvest season. Kenya’s export window is gradually extending and is now able to supply fruit in September and October.
In 2017, Kenya brought in US78 million dollars from avocado exports. In 2020, Kenya exported 72,000 tonnes of avocado which earned the country about US127 million dollars (Sh14 billion.) This is a rise of 15% from 59,000 tonnes shipped out in 2019 which fetched US91 million dollars (Sh10 billion.)
The Horticulture Crops Directorate (HCD) says between January and November last year, avocado farmers in Kenya earned Sh14.48 billion. This is a slight rise from Sh14.41 billion over a similar period in 2020.
Europe is the leading market for Kenya avocado exports. Kenyan suppliers are price competitive and take third place in the European summer supply of avocados. Nearly 60% of avocado exports from Kenya are directed to the European Union (EU) mainly:
- The Netherlands
- France
- Spain
But other significant markets include:
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Egypt
- Malaysia
Imports of Kenya avocados in countries like China is also rapidly rising.
Avocado Yield per Acre in Kenya
The average yield in Kenya is from 30,000-60,000 fruits per acre. This is the first harvest after three to four years. The avocado trees mature after five to seven years. The harvest from these mature avocado trees is from 75,000-150,000 fruits per acre. The standard of planting avocados in Kenya is 150 trees per acre.
Avocado Yield per Tree in Kenya
A single avocado tree in Kenya can yield between 70 and 100 fruits after three years. After the fourth year it can produce 300 fruits. But as it gets older, it matures after six to seven years. One well maintained avocado tree can produce a harvest of 700-1000 fruits.
Avocado Growing Areas in Kenya
Nearly 15,000 hectares of avocado trees were planted in Kenya as of 2018. The area under commercial production is about 7,500 hectares. The total land size cultivated with avocado is expected to grow by 1,500 hectares a year in the next five years.
Kenya’s fertile soils and tropical climate have made it ideal for growing avocados. 70% of avocado production in Kenya is done by small scale farmers.
Avocado farming in Kenya is mainly concentrated in Murang’a County. HCD says Murang’a is leading with 31% of total production. Here are other counties where avocados in Kenya are mainly grown:
- Kiambu
- Nakuru
- Kisii
- Nyamira
- Meru
- Bomet
Cultivation of avocados has been expanded across Kenya to meet the expected demand from Chinese consumers. More farmers are keen to cash in on the valuable fruit. Some of the counties where they have nearly doubled the area under avocado production are:
- Nyeri
- Laikipia
- Elgeyo Marakwet
- Uasin Gishu
The main harvest season for avocados in Kenya is between March and September. Smaller volumes of avocado are also harvested between October and February.
Types of Avocado in Kenya
There are over 40 varieties of avocado are grown in Kenya. The most common varieties are:
- Hass
- Fuerte
- Kienyeji or Jumbo
Hass and Fuerte are the two major export varieties from Kenya.
Hass
- The tree grows tall, vigorously and highly productive
- The tree has a moderate spreading habit
- It is unique because its skin turns from green to purplish-black when ripe
- It has one of the longest harvest seasons
- It has a long shelf life
- It is easy to peel and has a great taste
Fuerte
- The tree is broad and very productive
- The tree has a wide spreading habit
- It has a smooth, green skin
- It has a creamy, pale green flesh
Hass avocados fetch a better price on the export market. Here are some reasons why:
- The Hass variety has a higher resistance to pests and diseases
- Hass avocado has higher oil content
- The thick skin of the Hass avocado hides bruises
- The long shelf life of Hass avocado enables it to withstand periods of long shipping