From April 21 to 23, the international fruit and vegetable exhibition Macfrut [3] was held in Rimini, Northern Italy. Leah Meja Sonkoi, vice chairperson of the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya [4], shared insights on Kenya’s avocado production and market situation at the event.

Kenyan avocados gained access to the Chinese market [5] on June 1, 2022, following approval from China’s General Administration of Customs. On July 27 of the same year, a 72-kilogram trial shipment [6] of fresh avocados arrived in China via Shanghai Pudong International Airport. This was followed one month later by the arrival of a sea shipment of 45 metric tons [7] at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Port, officially marking the start of Kenyan avocado exports to China. According to customs data, as early as 2023 — just one and a half years after gaining market access — Kenya had already become China’s third-largest avocado supplier, after Peru and Chile. In 2025, China imported a total of 3,997 metric tons of avocados from Kenya.

According to data provided by Sonkoi, Kenya is the largest avocado producer in Africa and the sixth largest in the world. In 2025, Kenya’s avocado cultivation area reached approximately 35,000 hectares, with an output of about 600,000 metric tons. Over the six-year period from 2020 to 2025, Kenya’s avocado exports steadily increased from 72,049 metric tons to 135,000 metric tons.

China has now become the third-largest destination for Kenyan avocado exports, behind only the European Union (the Netherlands, France and Spain) and Middle Eastern countries.

Kenyan avocado varieties include Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton and Jumbo. Although local avocado cultivation remains dominated by smallholder farmers, large farms of more than 10 hectares now account for 10% of total avocado production, while farms with more than 100 trees make up 20% of production. To promote avocado exports, FPEAK has been working closely with relevant government agencies and fruit growers, making significant efforts to help orchards meet certification requirements and obtain relevant certifications such as GlobalGAP.

Kenya has two avocado harvest seasons: the main season runs from March to September, while the smaller season runs from November to January. Sea freight during the main season significantly reduces logistics costs. Currently, 80% of Kenyan avocados are exported by sea and the remaining 20% are shipped by air.

Sonkoi also discussed the packaging options for Kenyan avocados, which include not only 4-kilogram packs of fresh fruit but also processed forms such as frozen avocado slices, purée and chunks — catering to a range of needs including fresh consumption, retail, food processing, food service, and the edible oil and cosmetics industries.

Consumer demand for plant-based diets is rising globally, and the food, beverage and cosmetics industries are growing rapidly, driving continued expansion of the avocado market. In 2025, the global avocado market size reached $17.36 billion, and this is projected to grow to $24.93 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%.

Kenya’s avocado export value reached a high of $175 million in 2025. With increasing investment in local avocado orchards, as well as the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices and advanced post-harvest processing technologies, Kenya’s avocado export value is forecast to grow to $250 million by 2035.

Images: Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya