Kenya Extends Ban On The Export Of Popular Avocado Varieties

Kenya Extends Ban On The Export Of Popular Avocado Varieties To Overseas Markets
The ban on the export of Kenya’s popular avocado varieties to overseas markets has been extended by the country’s horticulture regulatory body.

Kenya Extends Ban On The Export Of Popular Avocado Varieties

According to the head of Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD), Benjamin Tito, the ban on Fuerte and Hass varieties remains until further notice.

“The harvesting of Hass Avocado and Fuerte avocado varieties will remain suspended until further notice,” he said.
He added that exporters of the Jumbo variety who are still allowed to do business will only export by air and not by sea. 

The ban was first imposed on November 15th, 2021 while excluding exporters of the Jumbo variety.
According to Tito, the move is aimed at curbing the harvesting of immature crops, which has been a trend among farmers to cope with the increasing avocado prices on the international market 

“The move by the regulator is aimed at curbing harvesting of the immature crop following previous rampant cases of traders picking young crops to capitalize on high prices of the commodity at the International market,” he said while announcing the ban last year.

Avocado has been the main source of income for Kenya’s horticulture sector. However, the price of avocado to Dubai dropped by half in 2018 due to the export of immature crops. 

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