Kenya has announced that it will ban the export of avocados and macadamia nuts to help sustain and grow Kenya's international market. The move has also aimed to prevent unnecessary produce from entering the market.
While Kenya mainly exports the bulk of the nuts and fruits to the Middle East and Europe as well as China, avocados are the country’s major fruit export.
Cabinet Secretary in the Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Andrew Karanja, said in a statement that the ban on macadamia exports and harvests would start from November 2, 2024 to March 1, 2025.
"Dealers must submit their current stock for inspection, verification, and clearance by November 15," Karanja said.
The suspension, according to the Cabinet Secretary, will prevent poor production, processing and export of immature macadamia nuts to the global market which could result in low export performance.
Karanja also said the government would introduce a minimum guarantee price on the produce sold in the local market to ensure farmers are not exploited during the period.
Director General of The Agriculture Food Authority (AFA), Bruno Linyiru, on his part explained that the AFA would continue to monitor avocado maturity trends and review the suspension in the first week of December.
According to various sources, while the AFA would allow the export of small quantities of fruits by air, shipment by sea would not be allowed, with the suspension to take effect from October 25.
Linyiru warned exporters against mixing avocados and mangoes to make up for the shortage of the former during the period.
In 2023 the value of exports of fruit and nuts generated USD 244 million to Kenya’s economy. The volume showed a decline of 11.9% in value terms compared to 2022.
In the first half of 2024, Kenya earned 144 million dollars from fruit exports.