Kenyan avocados braced for competition in East Asia

Fruit has overtaken coffee as Kenya’s biggest source of export revenue, according to a report in Business Daily Africa.

Income from fruit exports reached US$157m in the first half of 2024, according to data from the Kenya Revenue Authority, driven by demand for Kenyan avocados in Europe, including the UK.

Avocado exporters also see potential in the East Asian market, despite various challenges, with Keitt Exporters one company exhibiting at next month’s Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong.

“Among the new lines we have launched this season is the ready to eat avocado (RTE),” said the company’s Anne Kavai. “We are also excited about our ongoing value-added avocado oil project.” 

Despite a tough season, Keitt has continued to invest, even if logistics and rising competition remain a challenge. “We continue to push for growth on the Chinese market and also hope to see the South Korean market open up,” said Kavai. “We had good volumes of avocados in Kenya this year, and the rains will help boost production and improve quality and sizes for the coming season.”

One of the main issues this season has been transit times due to the Red Sea crisis. “We need more options with shorter transit times,” said Kavai, “Australian fruit has also flooded the market in Asia and Peruvian fruit is earlier, so we have to brace ourselves to remain competitive in this region.”