The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has announced the closure of Kenya’s 2026/2027 avocado harvesting and sea export season from Friday, October 30, following a survey that found production volumes too low to support sea shipments.
In a notice issued through its Horticultural Crops Directorate, the authority said the closure applies to Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton and Jumbo avocado varieties.
However, exports of the four varieties by air will continue, subject to mandatory inspection and traceability requirements.
AFA has also closed the harvesting season for avocado oil processors. Processors holding existing oil stocks and intending to export during the closed season must request verification by emailing [email protected] by Monday, November 2, 2026.
Only stocks verified before the deadline will be cleared for export, according to the notice.
The authority has also suspended the importation of avocado fruit for oil processing, warning that the restriction is intended to prevent locally grown immature avocados from being harvested under the pretext of importation.
AFA further cautioned exporters against mixing mango consignments with avocados for sea shipment, saying the practice had been reported following previous avocado season closures.
The authority said such conduct violates Section 20(5) of the Crops (Horticultural Crops) Regulations, 2020.
