Kenyan farmers are enjoying the fruits of their labour with the increase in demand for avocados in the Chinese market. Since the two countries reached agreements on phytosanitary standards, Kenya has become the first African country to export avocados to China, leading to an increased demand for Kenyan avocados.
Farmers like Joyce Kamau from Murang’a county, who ventured into avocado farming in 2018, are benefiting from the new market opportunities. Kamau’s trees took 2.5 years to reach full maturity, and she faced challenges during her first harvest in 2020 when the export market for the fruit was not readily available due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, by joining the Avocado Society of Kenya, local exporting companies were able to buy some of Kamau’s avocados at $0.20 per kg, which gave her access to the fledgling export market for Kenyan avocados.
The real windfall for Kamau and other farmers came in August when Kenya started exporting avocados to China. The increased demand for Kenyan avocados led to an increase in avocado prices among local exporters, and they were able to sell 1 kg of avocados for as high as $0.30. Kamau stated that she can now make up to $15,000 in a year, up from the $10,000 she was previously making.
Data from Kenya’s Horticultural Crops Directorate shows that since August, Kenya’s avocado exports to China have exceeded the 2-million-kg mark, highlighting the importance of the Asian market. Newton Maina, sales and marketing manager with the Avocado Society of Kenya, said Kenya exported over $50 million worth of both fresh and frozen avocados to China last year. He added that they expect to double the exports to China this year by shipping from the beginning of the season, which is from March onwards.
Maina said that the expanded market provided by China’s huge population has led to some of Kenya’s major avocado exporters signing agreements with Chinese wholesalers and retailers. This is bound to elevate the Kenyan avocado industry by substantially increasing revenue for farmers.
The success of the Kenyan avocado industry in the Chinese market is also a result of the quality of the produce. Maina stated that they have confidence in the quality of Kenyan avocados, and their Chinese clients will have the best eating experience every time they choose their fruit in the supermarket.
The Kenyan government is also encouraging the growth of the avocado industry by supporting farmers in various ways. In 2020, the government launched the National Avocado Strategy, which aims to increase the number of avocado trees from 40 million to 500 million by 2022. The strategy also focuses on capacity building for farmers, research and development, and market development.
The new market opportunities in China have provided a lifeline for Kenyan avocado farmers like Kamau, who have been struggling to make ends meet. With the expected increase in avocado exports to China this year, the future looks bright for Kenyan farmers who have found a profitable market for their produce. The Kenyan government’s support for the avocado industry is also commendable, and it is hoped that it will lead to more success stories in the agricultural sector.
