The newly opened avocado aggregation centre in Kandara, Murang'a county.The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has announced the closure of the avocado export season for sea shipment in Kenya for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.
According to the authority, the move is aimed at safeguarding the quality of produce and sustaining international markets.
Through a notice by Director General Bruno Linyiru, AFA highlighted that only mature avocados should be harvested, ensuring that Kenya continues to meet the high standards demanded globally while protecting future crop cycles.
"This, therefore, is to notify you that the closing of the harvesting season for sea shipment for the 2025/2026 fiscal year will come into force from Monday, October 20, 2025," the notice stated.
The authority also noted that it has been closely monitoring harvesting trends and recently conducted a nationwide survey across major avocado-producing zones.
According to the assessment, the findings revealed that the current volumes of the main season crop are insufficient to justify sea shipment, prompting the decision to enforce stricter export controls.
However, the authority clarified that the export of specific avocado varieties, including Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton, and Jumbo, will still be permitted by air shipment.
"Export clearance will be granted subject to inspection by the Directorate. Traceability information will be required for all consignments," Linyiru said.
The authority further announced that the avocado harvesting season is equally closed for processors of avocado oil.
AFA said it will undertake verification inspections to establish existing oil stocks and will only issue export permits for oil that has been processed before the closure date.
Processors with old stocks who intend to export during the closed season have been advised to seek inspection and clearance through the authority’s compliance office.
“No permit shall be issued for the export of avocado oil processed after closure of the harvesting season,” the notice emphasised.
In addition, the authority warned mango exporters against mixing mango consignments with avocado during shipment, noting that some exporters had attempted to circumvent the restrictions in previous years.
Such practices, AFA said, contravene Section 20(5) of the Crops (Horticultural Crops) Regulations, 2020, and will attract regulatory action.
The authority assured stakeholders that it will continue to closely monitor avocado maturity patterns across major producing zones and will issue an updated advisory in January 2026 to guide the industry on the way forward.
Kenya is currently one of the leading avocado exporters in Africa, with the crop earning billions in foreign exchange annually.
However, industry experts have warned that harvesting immature fruit undermines the country’s reputation in global markets and risks long-term losses if not curbed.
