Simon Nduati, Imara Avocado Factory’s Agronomist and Farm Manager, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Elazi Ahmogah, Project Manager at Imara Avocado Factory, and Muthomi Ernest of the Avocado Society of Kenya, pictured at the Avocado Industry Excellence Awards/HANDOUTImara Avocado Factory was celebrated as the top producer in the Organic Oil category at the 2025 Kenya Avocado Excellence Awards (KAEA).
Elazia Ahmogah, Project Manager at Imara, accompanied by Simon Nduati, the factory’s Agronomist and Farm Manager, received the award.
The award was presented during the KAEA 2025 Gala Dinner held at the Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi, where top players in the avocado value chain gathered to celebrate innovation, quality and excellence.
The KAEA awards ceremony brought together growers, exporters, researchers, policymakers and agribusiness leaders for a Networking Gala Dinner aimed at encouraging competitiveness and growth within the avocado sector.
In an interview with journalists, Ahmogah emphasised that the recognition reflects the company’s dedication to quality, consistency, and innovation.
“At Imara, we don’t only produce organic avocado oil - we also handle conventional avocado processing. This award shows that our hard work, discipline, and strategic engagement with farmers are yielding results,” Ahmogah said.
He urged farmers nationwide to embrace avocado farming, describing the fruit as “the new gold.”
He explained that Imara Avocado Factory has a farmer-contracting initiative, which allows growers to supply fruit directly to the factory at competitive prices.
“By taking care of the farmer, we improve fruit quality, yield, and ultimately the reputation of our products,” he said.
Ahmogah attributed Imara’s success to a combination of strategic outreach, collaboration with institutional partners, and a strong focus on farmer engagement.
“Even though we are newer in the sector than some competitors, our commitment, consistency, and close ties with farmers have given us a competitive edge,” he noted.
Despite the accolades, Ahmogah highlighted ongoing challenges facing the industry, particularly premature harvesting, which compromises export quality.
“Harvesting fruit before maturity affects yield, oil quality, and Kenya’s image in global markets. I urge farmers to be patient during off-season periods so we can maintain world-class standards,” he said.
Looking forward, Imara Avocado Factory has ambitious plans for growth and sustainability.
The company is establishing a green processing plant to convert avocado waste — from its facility and neighboring factories -into renewable energy for factory operations. In addition, plans are underway to build a bottling refinery, allowing the company to transition from selling crude oil to refined, branded avocado oil for export markets.
The factory also announced expansion into Bungoma County, as part of a regional sourcing strategy.
The initiative aims to work closely with farmer groups, SACCOs, and community organizations to streamline delivery schedules, establish reliable pick-up systems, and provide fair, predictable prices.
Farmers will also receive training in quality assurance, helping them meet export-grade standards and reduce post-harvest losses.
Industry data shows that Kenya remains one of the fastest-growing avocado exporters globally, with rising demand in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Experts project that the country could double its avocado value-addition revenue by 2030 if current investments continue.
