Kenya to export avocados to China
Grafted avocados of Hass variety at Limpopo farm in Seko, Uasin Gishu County. Kenya is turning its eyes to China in search of a bigger market for the popular fruit. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NMG
What you need to know:
Kephis says it has received many requests for export of avocado to China since 2011.
Nairobi. Avocado produce from Kenya might soon land in China, thanks to an initiative being spearheaded by the ministry of Agriculture.
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis) managing director Esther Kimani says they have already invited Chinese experts to conduct risk analysis and field visits during avocado harvesting season.
This was part of China’s recommendation before it opens up its market to Kenya. The visit would seek to comprehend orchard management, picking, packaging and certification system of the popular fruit.
“An invitation was subsequently sent to China and, after some interactions, the visit dates were agreed to be on 25 March and 1 April this year to coincide with the main avocado export season,” Ms Kimani told Sunday Nation.
Chinese experts will be hosted at avocado farms in Kakuzi, Embu, Murang’a, Uasin Gichu, and Trans Nzoia before they are taken to the airport to see how inspection of the fruit and other crops is conducted.
Kephis, noted Ms Kimani, has received many requests for export of avocado to China since 2011. This led to an initial application for market access in April 2011 to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China (Chinese National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO).
