SOURCE: Manny Anyango, The Star
Kenya exported Sh7 billion avocados to china in three months leading to October.
Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency says China is a key market for fresh and frozen Kenyan avocados.
“Statista estimates, the market value of avocado in 2022 is $15.5 billion (Sh1.9 trillion),” the statement read.
Export of frozen avocados to the Asian country was granted market access in 2019.
This followed successful completion of a rigorous Pest Risk Analysis carried out by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services and the National Plant Protection Organisation of China.
In April 2019, former president Uhuru Kenyatta and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping signed an agreement that allowed the export of frozen avocado.
The deal required export of frozen avocados at temperatures of between minus seven to -15 degrees.
This would help control the fruit fly pest, which is common in Kenya.
In 2020, Kenya was only able to ship a single container of 20-foot tonnes of ripe frozen avocados against a big potential.
In return, Kenya is expected to open its doors for investments from China such as textiles and apparels, leather processing, footwear, furniture, oil, gas and electronics.