The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has directed the opening of harvesting of avocado for export by sea shipment to commence on 2nd April 2026.
This is after the Authority undertook an avocado field survey from 1st to 6th March 2026 to ascertain maturity indices and volumes of the avocado fruit in major production zones.
Then, the mature fruits were deemed insufficient to warrant the opening of the avocado harvesting season, necessitating an extension of the restriction on avocado harvesting for shipment by sea.
In a notice statement Friday, AFA Ag Director General Calistus Kundu said the Authority has noted an improvement in fruit maturity in the major production zones.
He added that all fresh export produce will be subject to packhouse inspection from 7th April 2026, and exporters are required to apply for inspection at least three days prior to shipment.
“All exporters should submit a list of their duly registered Horticultural Produce Marketing Agents (HPMA) or suppliers by 30th March 2026,” he added.
Kundu further explained that in view of the current maturity indices in major production regions and the fact that avocado for oil processing should attain higher maturity indices, harvesting of avocado for oil processing will commence on 30th April 2026.
He warned, however, that harvested avocados should be transported in crates and that exporters or their agents found transporting or receiving avocados without crates or on open pickup trucks (or Probox vehicles), contrary to the horticulture regulations, will have their registration/license revoked.
“It has been noted that some exporters and processors are harvesting immature avocado. The Authority shall be conducting packhouse and avocado oil processing facility surveillance.
Any processor/exporter found processing/packing immature avocados shall have their packhouse registration and export license revoked,” the Ag. DG said
The Agriculture and Food Authority, established under the Agriculture and Food Authority Act of 2013, is mandated to develop, regulate, and promote scheduled crops.
The Authority enforces sector regulations to ensure quality products are marketed locally and internationally.
By Wangari Ndirangu
