Kenya to stop sea exports of four avocado varieties from October 30

Kenya to stop sea exports of four avocado varieties from October 30 - Avocados displayed with one cut open to show the seed. (Photo: Unsplash)

The closure will affect Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton and Jumbo avocados during the 2026/2027 season, but exporters will still be allowed to ship the fruits by air under stricter inspection requirements.

Kenya will halt sea exports of four avocado varieties from October 30 after a government survey found that current production levels are too low to support shipments by sea.

In a notice on Wednesday, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) said the closure will affect Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton and Jumbo avocados during the 2026/2027 season, but exporters will still be allowed to ship the fruits by air under stricter inspection requirements.

The decision follows a survey conducted by AFA's Horticultural Crops Directorate across major avocado-producing areas to assess current production and forecast supplies for the next main season.

“The survey findings are that current production volumes are low and insufficient for sea shipment,” the authority said in the notice to exporters, importers and processors.

Although air shipments will continue, exporters must present their consignments for inspection and provide details showing where the produce came from before receiving clearance.

The restrictions extend beyond fresh fruit exports to businesses that process avocados into oil. AFA has also closed the harvesting season for oil processors and stopped the importation of avocado fruit for processing, saying the import ban is intended to prevent traders from passing off immature Kenyan avocados as imported produce.

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Processors holding avocado oil stocks they intend to export during the closure must request verification from the authority by November 2.

“Only stocks that have been verified in advance shall be cleared for export,” AFA said.

Further, the authority warned that exporters and avocado oil processors who breach the closure rules risk losing their licences, while consignments prepared in violation of the guidelines will not be cleared for export.

The closure has also prompted AFA to tighten checks on mango exports, with the authority warning that some exporters mix mangoes with avocados in sea shipments despite the restrictions on avocado exports.

Under the new requirements, mango exporters must ensure their consignments contain only mangoes and apply for physical inspections, clearly stating the location of the packing facility.

“Mango exporters should apply for physical inspection of mango consignments through AFA. The application should clearly state the location of the pack house to facilitate inspection,” the authority said.

“Comply with the guidelines, without which an export permit for the consignment shall not be issued.”