Avocado Exports Soar as Kenya Becomes Top Global Supplier

Kenya has overtaken the Netherlands to become the world’s largest exporter of fresh avocados, shipping 128,000 metric tonnes in 2023—up 34% from 2022. The Horticultural Crops Directorate reports strong demand from the EU, Middle East, and India, with earnings hitting Ksh32 billion. Smallholder farmers in Murang’a, Kiambu, and Nyeri account for 80% of production. The government’s phytosanitary certification system and air cargo partnerships with Kenya Airways have streamlined exports. New value-added products like avocado oil are gaining traction. Challenges include land fragmentation and climate-induced flowering irregularities. With AfCFTA, Kenya plans to process 40% of output locally by 2026 to capture more value and create jobs in rural areas.