Nairobi, Kenya — The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has announced the closure of the 2025/2026 avocado harvesting season for sea shipments, effective Monday, October 20, 2025, in a move aimed at safeguarding the quality of Kenya’s produce and sustaining the country’s international market reputation.

The Authority stated that the decision follows a countrywide survey conducted across major avocado production zones to assess current production trends and forecast next year’s main season yields. The findings revealed that there are insufficient volumes of mature avocados available to justify sea exports.

According to the AFA, the enforcement of harvesting and export regulations ensures that only mature avocados are harvested, a measure designed to minimize crop interruptions caused by premature harvesting. Immature fruit harvesting has previously led to significant reductions in projected yields during subsequent seasons.

Key Guidelines from the Agriculture and Food Authority

1. Closure of Harvesting Season:
   The avocado harvesting season for sea shipment will officially close on October 20, 2025.

2. Air Shipment Allowed:
   The export of Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton, and Jumbo avocado varieties will continue by air shipment only.

3. Export Clearance:
   All consignments will be subject to inspection and approval by the Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD).

4. Traceability:
   Exporters must provide traceability information for all consignments to enhance transparency and market compliance.

5. Avocado Oil Exports:
   The harvesting season closure also applies to avocado oil processors. The Authority will conduct verification inspections to determine existing oil stocks, and export permits will only be issued for oil processed before the closure date.
   Processors intending to export during the closed season must request inspection through hcdcompliance@afa.go.ke. No export permits will be granted for oil processed after the closure.

The AFA added that it will continue to monitor avocado maturity trends and production patterns, with a review of this directive scheduled for the second week of January 2026.

Following past violations during avocado export bans, the Authority has cautioned exporters against mixing mango consignments with avocado for sea shipment—an act that contravenes Section 20 (5) of the Crops (Horticultural Crops) Regulations, 2020.

All mango exporters are reminded to:

1. Ensure that the declared quantity for export consists solely of mango fruits.

2. Apply for physical inspection of consignments through hcdcompliance@afa.go.ke, clearly indicating the packhouse location for inspection.

3. Adhere strictly to the outlined guidelines, as export permits will not be issued for non-compliant consignments.

The Authority emphasized that any exporter or avocado oil processor who contravenes the closure directives will face revocation of their export license, and permits will not be issued for consignments initiated contrary to these regulations.

Kenya remains one of the leading exporters of avocados globally, and the enforcement of strict maturity and quality standards is part of the government’s long-term effort to protect the country’s reputation in premium international markets and ensure sustainable growth in the horticultural sector.

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Bill Otieno

Bill Otieno is a Social Entrepreneur, Executive Director of InfoNile Communications Limited and a Journalist at Large. Email : bill.otieno@infonile.africa

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