Avocado business and export procedures

 

Avocado Export Business in Kenya

The avocado export business in Kenya primarily focuses on two varieties: Fuerte and Hass. Fuerte avocados are oval-shaped with smooth, pale green peels when mature. In contrast, Hass avocados have bumpy, fairly thick skin that changes from green to purplish-black when ripe. Hass avocados are round or oval, while Fuerte retains its colour when ripe. The export market mostly prefers hass since its hard cover makes it less perishable.

mature fuerte avocado

mature hass avocado

ripe hass avocado

Farm-Gate Purchase of Avocados in Kenya

Most small-scale avocado farmers in Kenya sell their produce to middlemen, who then sell the avocados to licensed exporters. The middlemen hire fruit pickers to harvest, grade, and load the avocados into transport vehicles for bulk transportation. Upon reaching the exporters' warehouses, the avocados are graded again, washed, and packed in 4 kg packages for export.

The farm-gate purchase prices from middlemen usually range from 10 to 20 KES per fruit for Hass avocados and 5 to 12 KES per fruit for Fuerte.

 

Apart from middle-men, registered exporters also purchase avocados from farmers at considerably higher prices. Some the common ones for purchase of avocado in Laikipia are Olivado and Kent.

packed avocado for export in 4kg packaging 

how avocados is ferried from farms mostly by middle men

Fruit Picking Seasons

The fruit picking season varies by region and avocado variety. Fuerte avocados mature early, with harvesting starting as early as February, while Hass avocados begin to be harvested in April. In Kenya, avocados are harvested year-round, but peak periods are typically from March to May and September to November.

The timing of the harvest is determined by the fruit reaching the maximum dry matter content of 22% to 24%. Size and weight also play a role, with the European market preferring larger avocados weighing between 200-300 grams, and the Asian market favoring smaller avocados weighing between 100-200 grams. Avocados for the European market are also graded by size codes, with specifications of 16 to 20 for Hass and 14 to 16 for Fuerte.

Major Avocado Growing Regions in Kenya

·         Murang'a

·         Nakuru

·         Nyeri

·         Kiambu

·         Kisii

·         Meru

·         Laikipia

·         Eldoret

Avocado growing regions are increasing as more people are diversifying and changing their land use to fruit farming

 

Procedure for Exporting Avocados from Kenya

 

1. Registration with Agricultureand Food Authority (AFA)

   - Register on the AFA Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) portal.

Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD), a department within AFA is responsible for qulity control such as dry matter content and checking the size codes

 

2. Application for Export Licence

   - Submit an application for an export licence.

   - Inspection by KEPHIS of the farm, transport vehicles, and packhouse facility.

   - Periodic field inspections, monitoring quarantine pests, and pest management.

   - Phytosanitary treatment of the avocados by fumigation.

   - Upon successful inspection, pay the necessary fees and obtain the export licence.

 

3. Registration as an Exporter

   - Apply for registration on the Electronic Clearing System (ECS).

   - Obtain user credentials and an ECS user rights letter.

 

4. Registration with Kenya Electronic Single Window System (KESWS)

   - Submit a company registration certificate.

   - Obtain user credentials and a registration letter for verification of goods origin.

 

5. Quality Inspection

   - Test samples to ensure they meet export quality standards.

   - Obtain a fruit quality inspection report.

 

6. Contracting a Clearing Agent

   - Hire a clearing agent to acquire pre-clearance documentation.

   - Begin the process for obtaining an EU certificate of origin:

     - Request, pay for, and obtain a certificate of origin form.

     - Typeset and submit the form for signing.

     - Obtain the signed certificate of origin.

 

7. Customs Entry

   - Register and pay fees and charges required by the bank.

   - Obtain customs entry under control status, allowing customs staff to oversee the avocados with appropriate security measures.

 

8. KEPHIS Registration and Phytosanitary Certificate

   - Ensure all production farms, packhouses, and fumigation treatment facilities are registered with KEPHIS.

   - Obtain a phytosanitary certificate, valid for sixty days, indicating the shipment is free from harmful pests and diseases.

   - The phytosanitary certificate must be issued before customs clearance.

 

9. Export Certificate Application

   - Apply for and obtain the export certificate.

 

10. Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)

    - Submit clearance documents for verification.

    - Undergo physical verification of the consignment.

    - Release the consignment for export.

 

11. Final Steps

    - Export the consignment.

    - Receive a certificate of export number upon successful export.

 

*The cost of the permits and certifications can be best obtain by visiting the respective offices