Avocado experts seek sustainable production as market expands

Avocado farming in the country is slowly gaining traction even as industry players scratch their heads on how to sustain the expanding market.

Keitt production manager John Madadi said there is a need to sustain production as the market expands.

“The market is expanding and we have not done much. What we supply to China is a drop in the ocean,” he said.

Keitt Exporters Limited is a leading exporter and importer of fruits and vegetables to markets in Europe and the Middle East for over a decade now.

Madadi said there is need for consistency to keep up with the rapidly evolving market.

He said they have acquired 2,000 acres in Tanzania for avocado farming.

“We went up to Zambia as we were trying to supplement and bridge the gap,” he said.

Kenya is one of the largest avocado producers in the world and has more than 40 varieties.

They include hass, fuerte, keitt, reed, booth 8, simmonds, pinkerton, nabal, puebla, tonnage, ettinger, hayes, G6 and G7.

The country has in the last one year secured avocado market in China, Malaysia and India.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of UN ranks Kenya as among top 15 avocado producing countries in the world.

FAO said Mexico produced 2.4 million metric tonnes, while Colombia followed with 980,000 metric tonnes as at the end of 2021.

Peru produced 777,000 metric tonnes, Indonesia (669,000 metric tonnes) and Dominican Republic (634,000 metric tonnes).

Kenya led other African countries with a production of 417,000 metric tonnes followed by Ethiopia with 152,000 metric tonnes.

Avocado is estimated to contribute an average of over $100 million (equivalent to Sh15 billion) annually to export earnings.

In March, Kenya exported the first batch of 20,000 tonnes of avocado to China.

The move followed the stringent phytosanitary measures that have been put to ensure that avocado fruits are free from diseases by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services. 

Madadi said they are also expanding to counties such as Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu where the crop matures from May to September to supplement those from Murang’a.

He said they help provide clean planting materials to outgrowers to enhance production.

Madadi said the number of avocado nurseries has also been increased.

“We also help to provide extension services,” he said.

Madadi said avocados for export must meet stringent standards.

He said the markets are very sensitive to food standards and food security measures.

“They sample the crops two times every week,” Madadi said.

In the past, there have been concerns over Kenya’s export produce being rejected in some international markets due to exceeding maximum residual levels caused by pesticides applied.

MRL is the highest level of a pesticide residue that is legally tolerated in or on food or feed when pesticides are applied correctly (Good Agricultural Practice), according to the European Commission on food safety.

Pesticides Control Products Board acting CEO Fredrick Muchiri said the board has employed a rigorous evaluation process to ensure safety.

“Ensuring consumer and pesticide user safety is our top priority. Food safety is key during approval of pesticides that is why maximum residue levels are required," Muchiri said on October 4.

However, Muchiri did not rule out the infiltration of dangerous pesticides into the country through porous borders but added that security agencies were on high alert.

Pesticides play a crucial role in safeguarding crop production by combating pests and disease-causing agents.

The substances are toxic in nature and their manufacture is strictly controlled and regulated worldwide.

PCPB is the regulatory authority in Kenya responsible for the registration, importation, use, and disposal of pest control products.

It ensures that pesticide products meet stringent safety standards and protect human health and the environment.