The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has announced the closure of the 2025/2026 avocado export season for sea shipments effective Monday, October 20, 2025, citing insufficient volumes of mature fruit.
In a notice issued by Director General Bruno Linyiru, AFA said the decision followed a nationwide survey across major avocado-producing regions, which revealed that the main season crop had declined and was not enough to sustain sea exports.
The move, the Authority noted, aims to protect Kenya’s global avocado markets by ensuring that only mature, high-quality fruits are exported.
“The Authority enforces regulations to ensure only mature avocado is harvested to sustain and grow Kenya’s international markets and minimize crop cycle interruptions caused by premature harvesting,” the statement read.
Despite the closure for sea shipments, AFA clarified that exports of specific avocado varieties—Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton, and Jumbo—will continue by air.
Export clearance for these shipments, however, will only be granted after inspection and verification by the Directorate, with full traceability information required for all consignments.
The Authority also announced that the closure extends to avocado oil processors. Export permits will only be issued for oil processed before the season’s closure, subject to verification inspections.
Processors holding existing stocks are required to request inspections through hcdcompliance@afa.go.ke before export.
“No permit shall be issued for export of avocado oil processed after closure of the harvesting season,” AFA warned.
The Authority further stated it will continue to monitor avocado maturity trends and production patterns, with a review of the closure expected in the second week of January 2026 to guide the next course of action.
In addition, AFA cautioned mango exporters against mixing mango consignments with avocado for sea shipment—a practice that contravenes Section 20(5) of the Crops (Horticultural Crops) Regulations, 2020.
All mango exports, the Authority emphasized, must undergo physical inspection before a certificate is issued.
"Any exporter or Avocado oil processor who contravenes these season closure guidelines shall have their export license revoked, and permits shall not be issued for export consignments initiated contrary to these guideline," the Authority warned.
In 2024, Kenya saw significant growth in avocado exports, with a 34 percent increase in output from 2023 to 848,122 tonnes, driven by high global demand and expansion into new farming areas. The value of fruit exports surged due to the avocado boom, primarily to the EU, the Middle East, and steady growth in the Chinese market.
The Avocado Export Control Board (AFA) has implemented measures in late 2024 and early 2025 to ensure the quality of exports by temporarily suspending sea shipments for certain varieties and mandating packhouse inspections.
As of 2023, Kenya ranked 25 in global exports of Fresh Mango. Kenya accounts for approximately 0.45% of the total global export value of Fresh Mango, with an export value of $16,359,761 (Sh2,115,323,277).
The top countries importing Fresh Mango from Kenya include the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar.