Exporting avocados from Kenya is a great way for farmers to make money. The Kenyan avocado industry has been growing at an exponential rate year over year, thanks to the efforts of many organizations and individuals. There are now more than 400 registered exporters in Kenya who have exported over 15 million kilograms of this valuable fruit since 2010! This number will continue to grow as long as there are opportunities for growth in the avocado industry.

The Kenyan Avocado Growers Association (KAGA) works hard to promote exports through their website www.avocadoexportkenya.com which provides information on how exporters can receive assistance with importing requirements, exporting procedures, quality assurance standards and documentation required by each country’s import regulations.

What is the process of exporting avocados from Kenya?
TSA compliance requirements must be met for all exporters including avocados. The cost of compliance is relatively small compared to other imported agricultural commodities. However, it can become prohibitive to start and maintain a small exporting business, if compliance requirements cannot be met, and if there is insufficient time to meet all required documentation deadlines.

If you are planning on importing avocados from Kenya, you will need to request a permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to insure that avocados can be imported without restrictions. The permit will allow you to import and export crops in order to secure them for your local market or export market.

Export opportunities for Kenyan avocado growers
In 2017, Kenya exported about 0.2 million kilograms of avocados. This number was up to 0.3 million kilograms in the first quarter of 2018, showing an increase in market potential.

Here are the potential export markets for Kenya:

U.S.: One of Kenya’s best customers is the United States. Kenya is one of the largest exporters of avocado to the United States and the number one export market in the world. In 2016, U.S. buyers purchased over 10% of Kenya’s total avocado exports, worth about $32 million! A variety of buyers have placed orders for delivery in the U.S. in 2018, including large grocery chains, local wholesalers, and fresh produce vendors.

Canada: In 2017, Canada imported over 1.5 million kilograms of Kenya’s avocados.

What are the benefits of exporting avocados from Kenya?
With a strong presence in various export regions across the globe, Kenyans are constantly having to endure increased costs to market their avocados. In fact, with the Kenyan economy being one of the most stable and successful on the continent, Kenyans who export and import goods are able to export their goods more easily with increased accuracy and efficiency.

Kenya’s coastal areas have well established connections with East African countries like Uganda and Rwanda. With these connections in place, local exporters are able to reduce the cost of transporting their products to those countries, which increases margins for exporters and their products. Kenya has also established strong relations with the Arabian Peninsula.

How can I export avocados from Kenya?
Exporting is a very serious business in Kenya. There are many difficulties that exporters will face when trying to produce and export their products. You must also be aware of all the regulations of the exporting country you are attempting to do business with. Some of the important regulations for exporting from Kenya are as follows:

Customs Regulations: The regulations pertaining to importing and exporting by the Kenyan government are regulated by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and include: 1. The requirements for import license and restrictions on imports;