Image from the Daily Meal
According to reports, East African countries have become Africa's largest avocado exporters. As a major exporter of tropical fruits, South Africa lags behind Kenya for the first time in 2017, with exports of 43,492 tons.
Kenya's pool of the biggest importers includes the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and more recently, the Russian Federation. The second, third, and sixth major export markets for Kenya avocados are all in Europe.
As the main producers of avocado in Africa, Kenya and South Africa have had a bittersweet trading relationship. In 2010, South Africa banned the importation of avocados from Kenya, citing quality concerns. The ban lasted for close to a decade until a July 2018 revocation. The resumption of trade has come as a blessing to many smallholder farmers in Kenya.
According to John Oroko, CEO of Selina Wamucii, one of Kenya's fastest growing avocado exporters, it was only a matter of time before Kenya became the leading avocado exporter on the continent.
Oroko said: "
Kenya has had a steady year on year growth since 2012 and, despite facing a severe drought in 2017, managed to export a record over 50,000 tons. I have every reason to believe this year will be way better given that we had rains and the avocado sizes have increased significantly. Of importance to note is that Russia and Hong Kong have had over 500% market growth and these are very key markets for our avocados if the country is to maintain its lead."
