The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has announced the closure of the avocado harvesting season for sea exports from October 30, 2026, citing inadequate production levels in major growing regions.

The restriction covers Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton and Jumbo varieties, with the authority cautioning exporters and processors against breaching the seasonal controls.

In a notice issued through its Horticultural Crops Directorate, AFA said a nationwide assessment of avocado production had established that available volumes were too low to sustain sea exports.

“The survey findings are that current production volumes are low and insufficient for sea shipment,” the authority said.

The decision follows an evaluation of prevailing production trends and projections for the next main avocado season.

Air exports to continue under strict conditions

Despite the suspension of sea shipments, exporters will still be allowed to ship the four affected varieties by air, provided the produce undergoes inspection and each consignment is accompanied by the required traceability information.

AFA said the controls aims to regulate exports in line with prevailing production conditions, while ensuring compliance with quality and traceability requirements.

The restrictions also extend to avocado oil processors, who have been directed to submit existing oil stocks earmarked for export during the closure for verification by the directorate.

Processors must present their stocks for verification by Monday, November 2, 2026. Only stocks confirmed by the authority before export will be eligible for clearance during the restricted period.

AFA bans imported avocados for oil processing

The authority has also suspended imports of avocado fruit intended for oil extraction during the closure.

The measure seeks to prevent traders from harvesting immature local avocados and passing them off as imported fruit to evade the seasonal restrictions.

AFA said its Horticultural Crops Directorate would continue tracking the maturity of avocado crops and communicate additional measures as production conditions evolve.

Exporters warned against mixing mangoes with avocados

Separately, AFA has cautioned mango exporters against including avocados in sea-bound mango consignments in an attempt to bypass the seasonal restrictions.

The authority said it had identified cases in which the two fruits were combined in export shipments, contrary to Section 20(5) of the Crops (Horticultural Crops) Regulations, 2020.

Under the regulations, consignments presented for mango export permits must contain mangoes only.

Exporters are required to request physical inspections through the Horticultural Crops Directorate and provide the location of their pack houses to enable the necessary checks.

AFA reiterated that all horticultural produce intended for export must be inspected before an export certificate is issued.

The authority warned that exporters and avocado oil processors who disregard the restrictions could lose their export licences.

It also stated that export permits would be withheld for consignments initiated in violation of the prescribed guidelines.