Kenyan avocado exporters were hindered last season by a lack of capacity caused by a reliance on third-party packhouses, according to Karakuta CEO Grace Ngungi, who described the investment as “game-changing”
Karakuta Fresh Produce has announced the construction of a state-of-the-art packhouse for avocados in Nairobi, which the company described as a “game-changing investment aimed at revolutionising Kenya’s avocado export landscape”.
Situated along the eastern bypass of Nairobi, just 30 minutes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, this facility addresses a critical challenge that was faced by avocado exporters last season: limited export capacity caused by a reliance on third-party packhouses.
Supplied by Israeli firm Eshet Eilon, Karakuta said the new packhouse was equipped with cutting-edge sorting and grading technology designed to optimise efficiency while meeting the highest global quality standards.
According to Karakuta CEO Grace Ngungi, the move marks a bold step toward unleashing Karakuta’s full potential on the international market.
“This new packhouse reflects Karakuta’s unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability and customer satisfaction,” she said. “By taking full control of the packing process, the company is poised to deliver fresher, premium-grade avocados to its customers worldwide, reinforcing Kenya’s reputation as a leading exporter.”
Beyond enhancing operational capacity, this investment underscores Karakuta’s vision of empowering local smallholders by providing them with a reliable export channel, she added.
With its strategic location and advanced capabilities, Ngungi said the packhouse marked the beginning of a new chapter for Karakuta Fresh Produce, as well as helping to redefine the avocado export industry in East Africa.
