The Avocado Society of Kenya has welcomed the opening of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) liaison office in Dubai, terming it a long-awaited lifeline for avocado exporters who have endured years of losses, delayed payments and unresolved trade disputes in international markets.
Speaking following the announcement, Avocado Society Chief Executive Officer Mugomi Ernest said the establishment of the Dubai office marks a decisive shift in how Kenyan avocado exports will be protected and managed abroad. He noted that exporters have for years suffered heavy financial losses due to non-payment by overseas buyers and the absence of strong dispute resolution mechanisms.
“Our people have lost huge sums of money over the years,” Mugomi said. “Non-payment has been one of the biggest challenges facing exporters, and this office in Dubai changes that reality completely.”
Mugomi explained that the Avocado Society will work closely with KNCCI to ensure the Dubai office serves as a reliable bridge between Kenyan exporters and international buyers. He said a physical presence in a major global trading hub will help secure prompt payments, address disputes swiftly and restore confidence in Kenyan produce.
Beyond dispute resolution, the Dubai office is also expected to play a key role in positioning Kenyan avocados more competitively in the Middle East market. Mugomi emphasized that visibility and branding are essential if Kenya is to stand out in an increasingly crowded global marketplace.
“We are competing with many other producing countries,” he said. “If we do not actively tell our story, we will be left behind. Strong branding will translate into better prices, higher volumes and improved earnings for our farmers and exporters.”
Mugomi revealed that the idea of establishing an overseas liaison office was driven by members of the Avocado Society, who have consistently called for stronger safeguards in export markets. He said KNCCI’s decision to operationalize the Dubai office offers a practical and timely response to long-standing challenges in the avocado sector.
He urged exporters and organizations that are not members of KNCCI to consider joining the chamber, noting that unity and collective action remain critical in protecting Kenya’s trade interests abroad.
“When a good idea is being implemented, the smartest move is to support it and benefit from it,” Mugomi said.
The Avocado Society also committed to providing technical support to exporters through the Dubai office, including quality assurance, inspections and guidance on compliance with export protocols. Mugomi disclosed that more than 160 registered avocado exporters currently ship produce to Dubai, adding that the new office introduces an extra layer of security and accountability.
“It is reassuring to know there is now an office we can call and get an immediate response whenever a problem arises,” he said.
With the avocado export season set to kick off next month, Mugomi said the mood among exporters has shifted from anxiety to confidence. For the first time in years, Kenyan traders now have a safety net on the ground in one of their most important markets.
“This is not just an office, it is protection,” he said. “It means someone is watching out for Kenyan exporters where deals are signed and money is exchanged.”
He noted that with due diligence already conducted and clear systems now in place, exporters have little excuse for falling victim to avoidable losses.
“The tools are here. The support is here,” Mugomi said. “Those who choose not to use them will only have themselves to blame.”
As Kenya’s avocado sector continues its rapid rise on the global stage, the opening of the Dubai liaison office signals the dawn of a new era—defined by accountability, stronger bargaining power and renewed confidence that Kenyan produce will no longer leave the country exposed or unprotected.
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