Kenya expands its avocado exports to India market

Kenya has achieved its first avocado exports to India, accessing a potential consumer market of 1.4 billion customers.

Kenya’s role in avocado supply is growing on the global stage, with recognition from the UN FAO as one of the top 15 avocado-exporting countries.

Kenya stands top in Africa with production averaging 417,000 and at an impressive 6th position globally.

In Africa, nations including Ethiopia, South Africa, Malawi, Morocco, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Madagascar have emerged as notable contributors to avocado production, as recognized by the UN FAO.

The global demand for avocados has steadily risen, with the Observatory of Economic Complexity indicating a significant 15.3% increase in the export value of fresh or dried avocados. This value climbed from $6.71 billion to $7.73 billion.

Asian countries, notably China, have become key markets, driving African producers such as Kenya and South Africa to actively participate in these growing markets. South Africa, formerly Africa’s largest exporter, signed an export agreement with China to further engage in this market.

Over the five years, Kenya has effectively doubled its avocado production to overtake South Africa to become the continent’s largest exporter.

Kenya, with avocado exports contributing over $100 million (approximately Sh15 billion) annually to its export earnings, is well-prepared for further growth in export values, driven by its achievements in entering new markets.

The European Union, with a focus on countries like the Netherlands, France, Spain, the UK, and Germany, continues to be a significant market for Kenyan avocados. Furthermore, Kenya has effectively broadened its avocado exports to include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Georgia.

Kenya is actively preparing to be part of growth by targeting an expansion of avocado cultivation areas from the existing 26,000 hectares to over 50,000 hectares by 2030.