Kenya has stopped exporting avocados by sea from today, Friday, October 30, after the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) ruled that the fruit currently on farms is not enough to support bulk shipments, a move that will squeeze exporters and growers in one of the country's most valuable horticultural trades.

In a notice dated October 28 and addressed to avocado and mango exporters, importers and processors, AFA's Horticultural Crops Directorate said a countrywide survey of the main growing areas had found that production was low. "The survey findings are that current production volumes are low and insufficient for sea shipment," the authority said.

What the closure covers

The suspension applies to the four main export varieties: Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton and Jumbo. Exports of these varieties by air will continue, but each consignment must meet inspection and traceability requirements.

Exporters wishing to ship by air must apply to the directorate for physical inspection and state the location of their pack house. No export certificate will be issued for produce that has not been inspected, and the authority said consignments started in breach of the restrictions will not get permits.

Off-season closures are meant to protect the quality and reputation of Kenyan avocados abroad by stopping immature fruit from being harvested and shipped when mature fruit is scarce, a recurring problem for the sector.

Oil processors and mango traders put on notice

The order also reaches into the avocado oil business. Harvesting fruit for oil processing has been suspended, and AFA has stopped imports of avocado fruit for oil processing, a measure aimed at traders who could otherwise pass off immature local fruit as imported stock.

Processors holding avocado oil that they intend to export during the closed period have until Monday, November 2, to have their stocks verified by the directorate. Only pre-verified stocks will be cleared.

AFA also warned exporters against mixing mangoes and avocados in sea consignments to get around the ban, citing Section 20(5) of the Crops (Horticultural Crops) Regulations, 2020, which requires a mango permit consignment to contain only mangoes. Exporters and processors who break the rules risk having their licences revoked.

A familiar seasonal pause

The sea export window is usually closed for part of the year as the crop moves between seasons. In 2024, a similar suspension began on October 25, and sea harvesting of some varieties reopened in February 2025.

Avocados are one of Kenya's leading fresh produce exports, with markets in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and People Daily reports that the trade earned the country about Sh20.8 billion in 2025. Air freight costs far more than shipping by sea, so the closure is expected to cut volumes sharply until the regulator reopens the window.

The directorate said it will keep monitoring fruit maturity across growing regions and issue further guidance as the next main season approaches.

Photos: The Star (avocados); Ian Kiptoo via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.