The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has announced the closure of Kenya’s avocado harvesting season for sea exports from October 30, citing low production volumes and insufficient supplies for shipment.

The closure for the year 2026/2027 affects the Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton, and Jumbo avocado varieties for sea export, although shipments of the four varieties by air will continue subject to inspection and traceability requirements.

In a notice signed by AFA Director General (DG), Calistus Efukho, today, to avocado and mango exporters, importers and processors, a nationwide survey conducted by its Horticultural Crops Directorate in major avocado-growing areas found that current production was too low to sustain sea shipments.

Export consignments will require clearance following inspection by the Directorate, with exporters expected to provide traceability details for all shipments.

The Authority has also closed the avocado harvesting season for avocado oil processors, and the processors holding oil stocks intended for export during the closure have been directed to seek verification by Monday, November 2, 2026, through directorhcd@afa.go.ke.

Only stocks verified in advance will be cleared for export during the closure.

AFA has also suspended imports of avocado fruits for oil processing to prevent the harvesting of immature local avocados under the pretext of importing fruits for processing.

The Directorate said it would continue monitoring avocado maturity patterns and issue further guidance as necessary.

At the same time, mango exporters also face tighter inspection as the Authority has tightened inspection requirements for mango exports following reports that some exporters have been mixing mango consignments with avocados for sea shipment after the closure of the avocado export season.

According to the DG , the practice contravenes Section 20 (5) of the Crops (Horticultural Crops) Regulations, 2020.

“Mango exporters must ensure that consignments covered by export permit applications contain only mango fruits and apply for physical inspection before permits are issued,” Efukho said.

Applications for inspection must be sent to directorhcd@afa.go.ke and clearly indicate the location of the packhouse to facilitate inspection.

The Authority warned that exporters and avocado oil processors who violate the seasonal closure guidelines risk having their export licenses revoked, while permits for non-compliant consignments will not be issued.

By Wangari Ndirangu