The avocado’s reputation as a super healthy food has stepped up its popularity. The fame of avocado is also due to its rich, creamy texture and mild flavor. Over the past few years, there has been a growing demand for avocados across the world.
Kenya’s avocado supply in the world market is increasing fast. Kenya has been ranked as one of the world’s top 10 avocado producers and the largest exporter of avocados in Africa. But the market potential of Kenyan avocados has yet to be fully exploited.
Avocado exports are only 10% of the total avocado production in Kenya. Kenya doubled its export volume in the last 10 years due to major investments in avocado production. Most of Hass avocados from Kenya go to Europe and the Middle East.
Avocado Farming in Kenya
70% of the avocado production in Kenya is done by small holder farmers. Fuerte is the oldest variety grown in Kenya for export. Hass is a newer variety also grown for export.
Avocado Seedlings in Kenya
Avocado trees in Kenya are propagated through grafting. The technique yields:
- Quicker harvests
- Consistent fruit quality
- Disease-resistant avocado trees
Planting material is sourced from nurseries registered by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
Land Preparation for Avocado Planting in Kenya
- The selected site is cleared of bushes, big stones and perennial weeds.
- The land is ploughed up to 30cm deep and harrowed two to three times.
- An annual crop can be planted a year before planting avocado trees so as to achieve good tilth.
Avocado Spacing in Kenya
The usual spacing for avocado in Kenya is 5m by 5m. This spacing means that 150 avocado trees can be planted in one acre.
Planting Avocado in Kenya
In Kenya, the rectangular planting pattern is mainly used. This allows free movement of machinery between the rows for cultivation, spraying, pruning and harvesting. It also allows maximum penetration of sunlight to the lower parts of the trees. Here are the steps to planting avocado in Kenya:
- The planting hole is dug 2ft by 2ft by 2ft.
- Avocado trees in Kenya are planted before the beginning of the rainy season.
- The potted plants are carefully removed from their plastic bags so as not to disturb the soil around the roots.
- The avocado seedlings are staked to help them grow upright and avoid damage from winds.
- Soil samples are taken.
- The top soil and subsoil are separated.
- Top soil is mixed with one debe (20kg) of well decomposed manure and 250g of phosphate fertilizer.
- Topsoil mixture is filled into the hole first followed by the subsoil.
- After transplanting, the leftover soil is used to build a basin around each tree so as to collect water from rain or irrigation.
- Newly planted avocado trees are watered regularly until they are established.
Since Kenya enjoys a sub-tropical climate, most avocado trees are rain-fed. Irrigation is required in case of insufficient rainfall especially during flowering and fruit setting.
Field Management
- Mulching is done to help to reduce water loss through evaporation and controls weeds.
- Pruning is done at the early stage to encourage lateral growth and during the dormant season.
- Weed control is done to prevent competition from weeds for water and nutrients.
Avocado Yield per Acre in Kenya
The first yield may be expected in the third or fourth year after planting and commercial production usually starts in the fifth or sixth year. One acre has 150 avocado trees. One mature tree can yield 500-1000 fruits therefore one acre can produce a harvest of 75,000-150,000 fruits per year.