In an effort to diversify its markets outside the established boundaries, Kenya is about to begin exporting Avocados to Malaysia. This will take effect once a pest audit has been completed by representatives of the Asian country.
After China, Malaysia will be the next country to receive Kenyan avocados. By the end of the year, the nation hopes to import both the Hass and Fuerte avocado kinds from Kenya. In addition to showing interest in Kenyan avocados, India and Mauritius have also completed inspections of the country’s orchards and processing facilities.
The Avocado Society of Kenya has stated that the country has over 100 varieties of Avocados but only four has reached the International Market, including Fuerte, Hass, Pankay, and Jumbo.
Read: Kenyan Avocados Sold At The Largest Fruit Market In East China
Despite the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, Kenya’s exports of avocados climbed by 24 percent to 87,000 tons in 2021 from 72,000 tons in 2020, indicating a rising demand for the fruit on global markets.
Kenya has surpassed South Africa to become Africa’s leading exporter of avocados due to the increased demand that the fruit has created on a global scale. Kenya is the product’s sixth-largest exporter producing 81.6 percent of the avocado fruit consumed in the East African Community (EAC). Due to its extended shelf life and flavour, the Hass cultivar, which is the most grown variety in Kenya, has attracted a lot of interest in the export markets.
Kenya is now seeking to increase its horticultural exports even as another Jordanian delegation toured a Kenyan hot water vapour mango treatment plant at an industrial area in Nairobi, as they plan to start importing mangoes from Kenya. Recently Kenya commenced export of green gold to China where it is said to be fetching better prices. For instance, a kilogram of fruit in China is now fetching $8 (Ksh970) when compared to the $6 (Ksh729) offered by the traditional European market.
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