Kenya will stop shipping avocados by sea from Friday, October 30, after the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) ruled that current harvests are too small to support bulk sea exports.

In a notice dated Wednesday, October 28, AFA Director General Calistus Efukho said the authority's Horticultural Crops Directorate had carried out a survey of all the major growing zones to assess current output and forecast the next main season. "The survey findings are that current production volumes are low and insufficient for sea shipment," the authority said, according to The Star and Kenyans.co.ke.

Which fruit is affected

The closure covers the four main export varieties: Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton and Jumbo. Exporters can still send fruit by air, but every consignment will be inspected by the directorate and must carry full traceability details before an export certificate is issued.

Sea freight is the cheaper route for bulk avocado shipments to Europe and the Middle East, so the closure is likely to squeeze exporters who rely on containers rather than costly air cargo space.

Seasonal closures are used by the regulator to stop the harvesting of immature fruit, which can damage the reputation of Kenyan avocados abroad when it fails to ripen properly.

Rules for oil processors

The shutdown also applies to avocado oil processors. AFA set the following conditions:

  • Processors holding oil stocks meant for export during the closure must have them verified by the directorate by Monday, November 2, 2026.
  • Only stocks verified in advance will be cleared for export.
  • Imports of avocado fruit for oil processing are banned for the duration of the closure, to stop traders harvesting immature local fruit and passing it off as imported.

The directorate said it will keep monitoring maturity levels across growing areas and issue further guidance when necessary.

Warning to mango exporters

In a separate directive, Efukho warned mango exporters against packing avocados together with mangoes in sea shipments while the closure is in force, saying this would breach the Crops (Horticultural Crops) Regulations, 2020. Export permits for mango must cover consignments that contain only mangoes.

AFA said no permits will be issued for consignments put together in breach of the directive, and exporters or processors who violate the rules risk having their licences revoked.

Avocado is one of Kenya's leading horticultural exports, and the closure leaves growers and exporters waiting on the next main harvest before bulk shipments by sea can resume.

Photos: The Star; Kenyans.co.ke. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.