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The Kenyan government has refuted claims that it has imposed a new ban on fresh avocado exports, assuring farmers and international buyers that trade is continuing as normal.
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Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura dismissed the rumours, stating that no such ban was discussed during a recent high-level meeting.
He affirmed that the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) remains committed to supporting fresh avocado exports.
“There is no ban on fresh avocado exports. AFA has confirmed that exports are ongoing, and the focus remains on expanding both volumes and markets. The claims about a ban being discussed during the June 25 meeting are completely false,” said Mwaura.
In a separate statement, AFA clarified that the June 25 meeting, held with the Presidential Economic Transformation Secretariat (PETS), was aimed at promoting avocado oil production—not halting fresh avocado exports.
The meeting brought together stakeholders in the avocado oil sector to find ways of minimizing post-harvest losses by converting surplus or non-exportable avocados into oil.
AFA Director General Dr. Bruno Linyiru emphasized the Authority’s continued efforts to grow both fresh avocado exports and oil production. He also highlighted partnerships with county governments to promote avocado farming at the grassroots level.
“Kenya is not only continuing fresh avocado exports but is also scaling up efforts to increase export volumes and explore new markets,” said Linyiru.
Kenya remains a leading avocado producer in Africa and ranks among the world’s top six fresh avocado exporters. In 2024 alone, the country exported over 119,801 metric tons of avocados worth Sh22.27 billion.
