Access to the Chinese market remains difficult for Kenyan avocados

In Kenya, following the trade agreement signed in April 2019 with China, the avocado sector expected that the Chinese market would import large volumes. But almost two years after the deal, the volume is still low.

 

Benjamin Tito, director of the Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD), said in an interview with The Star that Kenyan exporters have not been able to meet the strict requirements of the Chinese market. Only 1 in 100 companies had met the requirements and in 2020 Kenya was only able to ship a 20-foot container of frozen avocados.

 

The trade agreement signed in April 2019 allows the exportation of frozen Kenian avocados at a temperature of between -7 ° C and -15 ° C. But, according to Mr. Benjamin Tito, this requires enormous investments that many exporters cannot make. In addition, maintaining temperatures increases expenses and reduces profit margins.

 

According to an HCD report, Kenya had exported 70.3 million kilos of avocados in 2020. From January to November 2021, the exported volume reached 84.5 million kilos, with a volume of negotiation of 14.4 billion of KES (127.72 million dollars), being the main destinations of the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.