preface
Kenya is Africa's largest producer and exporter of avocados (also known as "avocados"), with a season that lasts from mid-February to November each year. Kenyan avocados have begun to ripen, and according to last year's performance report by the Horticultural Crops Authority (HCD), avocado exports increased from 70.3 million kilograms in 2020 to 84.5 million kilograms in 2021. And kenya's local plantations have begun to gradually switch from tea and coffee cultivation to avocados.
In 2019 to 2022, Kenyan avocados from frozen avocados to Fresh fruit into China, for China Kenyan avocado is still a fresh variety, so this article mainly explores the history and origin of Kenyan avocado cultivation, Kenyan avocado export introduction and some prices, personal problems found when looking up information, Kenyan avocado and the development of Chinese imports. Appendix 1 introduces the only hass avocado varieties that are allowed to be admitted, and Appendix 2 is the Announcement on Phytosanitary Requirements for Importing Kenyan Fresh Avocados issued by the General Administration of Customs of China on June 1, 2022, which is convenient for everyone to search and learn.
Most of the information in this article comes from the Internet and some journals, if there are data errors, please point out, I will correct it in time. Also: if you or a friend need Kenyan avocado fresh fruit, you can send us a private message in the background. Forward to the circle of friends in the background private message can also extract Kenyan avocado (longer timeliness, but will definitely send), thank you.
Hass avocado
Basic information about avocados in Kenya
Kenyan avocados were first introduced to Kenya by the Portuguese in the 1930s to exploit the fertile land. After Kenya's independence in the 1960s, Kenya began to grow avocados commercially on a large scale. The area under avocado cultivation in Kenya is now steadily increasing. In 2015, avocados were produced on an area of 13,305 hectares. By 2020, the area has doubled to an estimated 20,000 hectares (a one-hectare plot of land, roughly approximating a standard football field). After 2017, Kenya has been the first or second avocado exporter in Africa, exporting 84,000 tons of avocados in 2021.
Most Kenyan avocado growers are located in Murang'a, Kiambu, Nakuru, Kisii, Nyamira, Meru and Bomet and some Mount Kenya regions. The avocado industry is developing in these Nandi, Bomet, Uasin Gishu, Trans-Nzoia, Bungoma and Siaya counties. Kenya's main export varieties are Hass(Haas), Fuerte (Fuerte) and Pinkerton. Kenya's indigenous avocado varieties are often referred to as Kienyeji. Avocados are mainly grown by small-scale growers (85%) in the areas mentioned above, who grow avocados for a living.
Land Area - Yield - Value (KES)
The main local avocado export companies are Kenya Horticultural Exporters Limited (KHE, which can be understood as Kenyan state-owned enterprises), Sunripe Ltd, East Africa Growers Ltd, Indu Farms Ltd, Kakuzi Ltd and Vegpro Ltd. The largest consumers of Kenyan avocados are: the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Spain and Saudi Arabia, of which Fuette mainly exports to Russia and Haas to Europe. With Kenya's main competitor being South Africa (the largest avocado producer in 2001), and with their co-location in Africa, avocado varieties will be similar, Kenya began to switch to new introduced varieties such as Etija and Linda. But for the time being, there is no effect.
Kenya's avocado exports
In Kenya, avocados are packaged in either 4 kg gross weight (carton) or 10 kg gross weight (carton), each of which can hold 9 to 26 fruits, depending on the size.
Sizes are divided into: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, different sizes represent different weights of about: 140-395 G (g).
In the case of sea freight, the avocados are packed in open trays that are strong enough to withstand moisture in modified-air (CA gas-regulated fresh-keep refrigerated) coolers. A box of fresh Kenyan avocados retails for about $4.50 in Nairobi.
The main season for avocados in Kenya is from March to September, with Fuerte serving from March and Hass varieties from May. However, it is worth noting that given Kenya's tropical climate and different avocado growing areas, avocados are produced almost all year round, but only less outside the main season.
Kenya avocado prices
In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, the total value of Kenya's avocado exports was $63,901, $78,011, $118,289 and $102,397 (thousands of dollars).
The price per tonne of avocados in Kenya in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 was $1,368.86, $1,514.57, $1,645.67 and $1,616.22, respectively.
Kenya avocado wholesale price
In 2022, the approximate price range for Kenyan avocados is $1.62 to $1.65 per kilogram, $0.73 to $0.75 per pound, and Kenyan shilling 176.06 per kilogram. In Mombasa and Nairobi, the average price per ton is $1616.22. Kenya's 2019 avocado import price is $0.20 per kilogram.
Kenyan avocado exports
In 2019, Kenya sold 63,356 tons of avocados. This is a change of -11.857% compared to 2018. Between 2017 and 2019, combined exports of avocados grew by 23%, generating $102.4 million in revenue for exporters. 2019. Kenya's avocado exports are as follows:
Value of Kenyan avocado exports
In 2019, Kenya supplied about $102.4 million worth of avocados, down -13.43% from total avocado exports of $118.289 million in 2018. Between 2017 and 2018, the value of Kenyan avocados increased by 51.631% month-on-month. Kenya's avocado exports rose 23% sequentially from 2017 to 2019, compared to -11.857% sequentially from 2018 to 2019.
- The above data is from Selina Wamucii
The problem of Kenyan avocados
1) Kenya is still small compared to global producers. Major avocado-producing countries such as the Dominican Republic and Mexico do not export or only export in small amounts, as the product is very popular in the country and has strong domestic digestibility. It does not rely particularly on exports and also stabilizes the confidence of local avocado growers.
Local avocado production packaging line in Kenya
2, the demand for avocados continues to rise. A decade ago, Mexico produced about 90 percent of the world's avocados, but today, Kenya, New Zealand and Australia, even in China, produce them. But the problem is to provide continuous supply, if the domestic consumption power is not strong, the purchase price fluctuations are large, which is devastating for avocado growers who need to plant for 3-4 years to harvest.
The proportion of avocado exporters in 2019
3. Traceability. In short, it's the ability to trace origins from "field to table." Most companies in Kenya do not have the capacity. What most consumers need is to be confident that growers meet all food safety requirements, social certification standards and phytosanitary requirements.
4. Restrictions on the marketing of avocados in Kenya. Factors include uncoordinated fruit exports, limited funding for production research, pre- and post-harvesting, and product development. Because of this, Kenyan avocados have more competitive new technology standards in the domestic and world markets, especially since most growers are smallholder farmers. The local avocado market is not streamlined and overproduction leads to low prices and waste during peak harvest periods. Better marketing should be used to promote the sale of avocados in Kenya.
5. Local production is mainly limited by fungal pathogens, insufficient planting materials, lack of crop technical knowledge and weak infrastructure, resulting in losses of 30,000 to 40,000 tons.
Kenyan avocado and China
Kenyan President Kenyatta successfully signed an agreement with China on April 25 during China's participation in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2019, making Kenya the first African country to export avocados to China.
However, due to logistics costs and the high cost of meeting the conditions required for the export of Kenyan avocados to China (Kenyan avocados must be peeled, cored, frozen for not less than 30 minutes at minus 30 degrees Celsius, de-harmful treatment, and stored and transported below minus 18 degrees Celsius. Most exporters in Kenya are unable to export as required, and only one of the more than 100 local export companies meets the requirements set by the Chinese side.
In September 2019, the first 40 boxes of Kenyan frozen avocados arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, after which the import of avocados came to a standstill due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In January this year, during the official visit of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Kenya, China and Kenya signed the Protocol on the Export of Fresh Avocados from Kenya to China, and Kenya will become the first country on the African continent to export fresh avocados to China.
Foreign Minister Omamo met with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Mombasa.
Appendix 1:
Introduction to hass varieties
The most famous avocado variety, Hass comes from a 1.5-acre grove at 430 West Road, La Habra Heights, California, and was promoted worldwide after the patent of grower Hass (Haas) expired in 1952.
Hass avocado
Like other avocado varieties, after a year of low yields, usually because of the cold, the next year's yield is harvested. Because a bumper harvest depletes stored carbohydrates and reduces yields for the next season, it can put trees into a lifelong alternating production pattern. But in Kenya due to good soil and drainage systems, plenty of sunshine and cool and gentle winds from the ocean. Hass can produce every year after 1-2 years of cultivation.
Local Hass in Kenya
But hass avocados have no reliable source to obtain more micronutrient content specific to haas avocado than other commercial avocado varieties, and this introduction is just for typical avocado nutrients to share:
- About 75% of avocado energy comes from fat, most of which (67% of total fat) is monounsaturated fats such as oleic acid
- Other major fats include palmitic acid and linoleic acid.
- Saturated fat content accounts for 14% of total fat.
- Typical total fat composition is roughly: 1% omega-3, 14% omega-6, 71% omega-9 (65% oleic acid and 6% palmioleic acid), and 14% saturated fat (palmitic acid).
Appendix 2:
Announcement on Phytosanitary Requirements for Importing Fresh Avocados from Kenya
General Administration of Customs of China
In accordance with the relevant laws and regulations of the Mainland and the Protocol between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Cooperation of the Republic of Kenya on the Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh Avocados from Kenya to China, from now on, the import of Kenyan fresh avocados that meet the following relevant requirements is allowed:
1. Basis for quarantine
(1) The Biosecurity Law of the People's Republic of China;
(2) The Law of the People's Republic of China on the Quarantine of Animals and Plants Entering and Leaving china and the Regulations on the Implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Quarantine of Animals and Plants Entering and Leaving the Country;
(3) Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Inspection and Quarantine of Imported Fruits;
(d) Protocol between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Cooperation of the Republic of Kenya on Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh Avocados from Kenya to China.
2. The names of commodities allowed to enter the country
Fresh avocado, scientific name Persea americana Mills., English name Avocado (hereinafter referred to as "avocado"), only Hass varieties.
3. Permitted places of origin
Kenya's avocado producing region.
4. Approved orchards, packing plants and quarantine treatment facilities
Avocado orchards, packing plants and quarantine treatment enterprises exported to China must be registered by the National Plant Health Supervision Authority (hereinafter referred to as "KEPHIS") representing the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Cooperation of the Republic of Kenya and approved for registration by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as "GACC"). Registration information includes name, address and identification code to accurately trace the origin of the exported goods if they do not comply with the relevant provisions of this quarantine requirement. Each year before the export season, KEPHIS provides GACC with a registered list, and the list of approved companies can be found on the GACC website.
5. List of quarantine pests of concern
1. Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann, a Mediterranean fruit fly
2. Ceratitis cosyra (Walker)
3. Ceratitis rosa Karsch, the real fly of Natal
4. Apple (8823, 13.00, 0.15%) alien small curl moth Cryptophlebia leucotreta (Meyrick)
5. Fig waxworm Ceroplastes rusci (Linnaeus)
6. Ceroplastes Stellifera (Westwood)
7. Elm white shield Lopholeucaspis cockerelli (Grandpr & Charmoy)
8. Selenaspidus articulatus Morgan, West Indian red roundworm
9. Avocado spot blight Pseudodocercospora purpurea (Cooke) Deighton
6. Pre-export requirements
(1) Orchard management.
1. Avocado orchards exporting to China should establish and implement Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), maintain orchard hygiene conditions, timely clean up of fallen fruit, etc., and implement integrated pest control (IPM), including pest monitoring and investigation, chemical or biological control and other pest control measures.
2. Avocado orchards exported to China shall, under the guidance of professional and technical personnel, carry out monitoring and comprehensive management of quarantine pests of concern to the Chinese side. Technicians must be trained by KEPHIS or KEPHIS authorized institutions.
3. Avocado orchards exported to China must keep the monitoring and investigation records of quarantine pests of concern to the Chinese side and real-time chemical and biological control records, which should include the name, active ingredient, application time, concentration, etc. of all chemical reagents used during the growing season, and provide them to GACC upon request.
4. For the Mediterranean fruit fly, African mango fruit fly, Natal fruit fly and apple special-shaped small curl moth, comprehensive pest management measures should be adopted in avocado producing areas, including the use of traps, chemical control, biological control and other methods to control the occurrence of pests and maintain a low prevalence of pests.
5. For fig wax borer, seven-pointed star wax borer, elm white shield borer, West Indian red roundworm and avocado spot blight, monitoring and investigation should be carried out during the growing season, at least once every 2 weeks from flowering to harvest. If pests or their corresponding symptoms are found in surveillance, control measures, including chemical or biological control, should be taken in a timely manner to control the occurrence of pests and maintain a low prevalence of pests.
(2) Packaging plant management.
1. The processing, packaging, storage and shipment of avocados exported to China shall be carried out under the quarantine supervision of KEPHIS officials.
2. Avocados must be soaked and cleaned, brushed and brushed, picked and removed from inferior fruits (over-ripe fruits, atypical Hass fruits, scar fruits, black dot fruits, deformed fruits, etc.), and must not carry branches, leaves, roots and soil, etc., to ensure that the export goods do not carry any harmful organisms.
3. If the packaged avocado needs to be stored, it should be stored immediately and stored separately to avoid re-infection by pests.
(3) Packaging requirements.
1. The packaging materials should be clean and hygienic, unused, and meet the relevant phytosanitary requirements of China.
2. Each box must be marked in English with the name of the fruit, the country, the place of origin (county, district), the orchard or its registration number, the packaging factory or its registration number and other information. Each box and tray should be marked in English or Chinese as "Exported to the People's Republic of China" or "To the People's Republic of China".
3. If wood packaging is used, it must comply with the requirements of International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM15).
4. The container should be inspected before packing to ensure good sanitary conditions.
(4) Fumigation treatment requirements before export.
Avocados exported to China should be treated with bromomethane fumigation under the supervision of KEPHIS, and the fumigation treatment indicators are as follows:
The temperature is above 21.1 °C, the dose is 32g/m3, and the duration of fumigation treatment is not less than 2 hours.
(5) Quarantine before export.
1. Within 2 years after the entry into force of this announcement, KEPHIS or its authorized personnel shall conduct a sampling inspection of each batch of avocados in the proportion of 2% of each shipment, with a minimum sampling amount of not less than 1200 fruits, and at least 40 suspicious fruits in 2% of the samples. If no phytosanitary problems occur within 2 years, the sampling ratio can be reduced to 1%, but not less than 1200 fruits.
2. If live quarantine pests of Chinese concern are found, the entire shipment shall not be exported to China. KEPHIS shall take a moratorium on the relevant orchard, packing plant or fumigation treatment facility until the cause is identified and effective improvement measures are taken. KEPHIS shall keep relevant records and provide them to GACC upon request.
(6) Requirements for phytosanitary certificates.
Avocados that have passed quarantine are issued a phytosanitary certificate by KEPHIS, indicating the container and seal identification number, and noting in an additional statement: "This consignment is in compliance with the requirements specified in the Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Fresh Avocado." Fruits from Kenya to China,and is free from quarantine pests of concern to China.” (The shipment complies with the protocol on phytosanitary requirements for the export of kenyan fresh avocados to China, and does not bring quarantine pests of concern to the Chinese side). At the same time, in the quarantine treatment column, fill in the dose, duration and treatment temperature of bromide used in fumigation treatment.
KEPHIS shall provide GACC with a sample of the phytosanitary certificate before the trade is carried out for the Record and Verification by the Chinese side.
7. Entry quarantine and unqualified treatment
When avocados arrive at China's port of entry, China Customs implements quarantine in accordance with the following requirements.
(1) Verification of relevant certificates and logos.
1. Verify whether imported avocados have obtained the Quarantine Permit for Imported Animals and Plants of the People's Republic of China.
2. Verify whether the phytosanitary certificate complies with the provisions of Paragraph (6) of Article 6 of these Requirements.
3. Verify whether the markings on the box comply with the provisions of paragraph (3) of Article 6 of these Requirements.
(2) Quarantine of entry.
1. Avocados exported to China should enter from the port where GACC allows the import of fruits.
2. In accordance with relevant laws, administrative regulations, rules and other provisions, the import of avocados shall be inspected and quarantined, and those who pass the inspection and quarantine shall be allowed to enter the country.
(3) Handling that does not meet the requirements.
1. If it is found to be from an unregistered orchard or packing plant, the goods will not be allowed to enter the country.
2. If quarantine pests or new live quarantine pests of Chinese concern are found, the goods shall be returned, destroyed or quarantined. GACC will notify KEPHIS and suspend the export of avocados to China this export season from relevant orchards, packing plants or fumigation treatment facilities, as appropriate. KEPHIS should conduct investigations, identify the causes and implement appropriate improvement measures. The GACC will decide whether to lift the suspension that has been taken based on the results of the assessment of the improvement measures taken by KEPHIS.
VIII. Conformity review
In the first year of the project, with the assistance of KEPHIS, the GACC will send experts to conduct field visits or remote video inspections of avocado-growing areas exported to Kenya to ensure that they meet the relevant requirements set out in this Protocol.
Retrospective review
Based on the dynamics of the avocado outbreak in Kenya and the interception at ports, the GACC will conduct further risk assessments and consult with KEPHIS to adjust the quarantine pest list and related quarantine measures. In order to ensure the effective implementation of relevant risk management measures and operational requirements, the GACC will conduct a retrospective review of the implementation of this Protocol every 5 years after the start of trade, and if necessary, China may send experts to Kenya for on-site assessment. On the basis of the assessment, the Protocol was amended with the consent of both parties.
This is hereby announced.
Customs
June 1, 2022
If you or a friend need Kenyan avocado fresh fruit, you can send us a private message in the background. Forwarding to the circle of friends in the background private message can also extract Kenyan avocados (longer timeliness, but it will definitely be sent. ）