CS Linturi tours Israel avocado firm, pledges partnership

Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi on Wednesday toured Granot avocado firm in Hadera, Israel.

The firm is one of the biggest packers of avocados in Israel.

Linturi said Granot has already established its base in Naivasha and Nakuru counties in Kenya.

"Naivasha and Nakuru have begun growing large-scale avocado for the export market and creating employment opportunities for approximately 2,000 employees," he said.

"We will collaborate with Granot for the benefit of farmers who will directly gain from improved seedlings, technology, pack houses, and international market linkages."

He added that Kenya has among the best weather and soil for avocado farming in the world.

The company will engage out-growers who will benefit directly by selling their products to them to increase incomes for farmers and cut off middlemen who suppress farmers.

He was accompanied by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, Water and Sanitation PS Paul Ronoh and Israel Ambassador to Kenya Michael Lotem among others.

This is even as Kenya is set to host the second International Africa Avocado Congress this month.

The congress will be hosted by the Avocado Society of Kenya at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi from May 31 to June 2 this year under the theme, ‘Growing Avocados Sustainably.’

Data from the Horticulture Crops Directorate under the Agriculture and Food Authority shows that avocado exports rose from 66 million tonnes in 2018 to 86 million tonnes in 2021. In 2022, Kenya’s avocado export value was estimated at $15.15 billion.

HCD further indicated that Kenya’s exports of avocado to China hit Sh7 billion in three months to October 2022, exceeding the earnings that were realised in the first seven months of the year.