Kenya can become a major player in the European market of avocado

With 2 crops per year, Kenya has major advantages for the production of avocados.

Avocados are grown in ideal conditions. In Ecuador, in dry soils, at different altitudes (from sea level to almost 2000 m), which offers good returns and optimum fruit quality. In recent years, thanks to quality standards in the production and packaging, Kenyan products meet the requirements of international trade.

But in Europe, avocados of Kenya face the enormous volume of products from Peru which are often at lower prices, particularly because of the extra costs of transporting of Kenyan products. All shipped in controlled atmosphere, aocados of Kenya are loaded into small boats to avoid pirates of Somalia and transshipped before entering the Suez Canal towards European ports (Algeciras, Antwerp).

On the European market, Kenya offers the necessary volume to be a major player. And not only during windows of opportunity that avoid large Peruvian volumes,  that is to say very early or very late in the season. Generally, the first harvest begins in February with a peak season in May and ends in July. The second harvest begins in September and continues until November.

Exporters consider the future with confidence. The new facilities of the Port of Mombasa will be able to accommodate large ships which can navigate directly to the main ports in Europe and compete with avocados from Peru and Mexico.

Eagle Fruit is the trademark of a dozen conditioners which also retain their own brand, as Apex, BCS, Big Farm, Eagan, Kandia, Keitt, Plainfield.