The avocado export season in Kenya typically ends around late September to early October for major varieties like Hass and Fuerte. The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), through its Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD), regulates these timelines to ensure the export of high-quality avocados and prevent the harvesting of immature fruits.
The season officially starts in March, with peak harvest and export activity occurring between June and August. The exact closing date can vary slightly depending on growing conditions and the maturity of the fruit.
In 2024, Kenya's avocado exports saw a steady increase, with around 16,000 tons exported by mid-September. The country is expected to reach a total of 17,000 tons by the end of the year, much of this growth attributed to increasing cultivation areas and expanding markets, especially in the European Union, the United Arab Emirates, and China.
Kenya is currently ranked among the top 10 exporters of avocado oil globally. This growth is driven by rising global demand for avocado oil for both culinary and cosmetic uses.
Throughout this season, LiquA has played a significant role in the market, having shipped substantial amounts of crude avocado oil in Flexitanks. We sincerely appreciate the continued support from our loyal customers and look forward to an even more successful season ahead.
We have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback from our customers, who expressed great satisfaction with our easy-to-fit, high-capacity food-grade Flexitanks of 27,000 liters. Unlike conventional Flexitanks, ours do not require bulkheads, which has sparked curiosity among many of our clients. We take pride in being a market leader in Flexitank technology and innovation.
In preparation for the upcoming avocado season, we have restocked our high-capacity Flexitanks in our Nairobi warehouse to ensure an adequate supply for our customers. Our newly established office, LiquA East Africa Limited, has been instrumental in providing Flexitank supply, technical support, and coordination for our customers' bulk logistics.
The East Africa market is unique in that, while the season is ending for Kenya this October, the avocado export season in Ethiopia generally starts around the same October and can extend until March 2025. The peak season in Ethiopia often occurs from December to February, when the avocados are at their prime for harvesting and exporting. This timing can vary slightly depending on local climatic conditions and specific avocado varieties. As Ethiopian avocado production continues to grow, the export season may also see shifts in timing or duration in the future.
LiquA is well-positioned to meet Ethiopian market demands for Flexitanks through collaborative marketing efforts and business development initiatives within the region. LiquA Flexitanks have been embraced by major exporters, who are satisfied with our services.
We are optimistic about the future and confident that our collaboration with industry players will grow significantly in the upcoming season.
