Kenya will suspend sea exports of four avocado varieties from October 30 after an assessment found that the country does not have enough mature fruit to support overseas shipments.
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) announced the closure as the country moves to protect the quality of its avocados and maintain confidence among international buyers. The restriction affects Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton and Jumbo varieties, although exporters can continue sending the fruit by air after inspection and approval by the Horticultural Crops Directorate.
The decision threatens to disrupt farmers and exporters who rely on sea transport to move large quantities of avocados to foreign markets. Kenya earned about Sh20.8 billion from avocado exports in 2025, making the crop an important source of foreign exchange and income for growers.
The suspension also covers avocado oil processors. AFA said processors holding oil stocks intended for export during the closure must request verification by November 2, 2026. Only stocks verified in advance will receive export clearance.
“The avocado harvesting season is equally closed for avocado oil processors,” said AFA, warning that imports of avocado fruit for oil processing would also stop to prevent traders from using imported fruit as an excuse to harvest immature local produce.
Small-scale farmers are likely to face the greatest pressure because many depend on exporters and packhouses to collect their harvests. With sea shipments halted, some growers may have to sell to local traders or processors, potentially at lower prices.
Air freight offers an alternative, but its higher cost could limit the amount exporters are willing to purchase. Industry estimates put air transport costs at between $4.50 and $6 per kilogramme, compared with about $4 for sea freight. This could add between Sh65,000 and Sh260,000 to the transport cost of a one-tonne shipment.
Official trade figures show Kenya exported 120,893 tonnes of avocados worth approximately $160.1 million in 2025. The Netherlands was the largest market by value, accounting for $38.8 million, followed by the United Arab Emirates at $30.9 million. Spain and France were also among the key destinations.
AFA will continue monitoring fruit maturity and production before providing guidance on the next export window. The regulator has repeatedly warned that harvesting immature avocados results in poor eating quality and risks damaging Kenya’s reputation among international buyers.
The authority has also tightened controls on mango exports during the closure, requiring inspection of all consignments before issuing export certificates. Exporters must ensure their permits cover mangoes only, as regulators seek to prevent the mixing of mango and avocado shipments to bypass seasonal restrictions.