State strikes deal with China and India for avocado market
Avocado farmers have a reason to smile after the national government successfully negotiated a market for the produce in China and India.
Avocado Society of Kenya (ASK) CEO Mr Muthomi Ernest said the state has struck a deal that will see Kenya supply avocados to the two countries. “Negotiation, now on pen and paper, will see us enter into the two markets with huge populations with a view to boosting our exports,” Mr Muthomi said.
Speaking at a Wambugu farmers’ event, Muthomi said with the new markets, farmers have the potential to earn better returns from avocados if only they can be producing more.
He singled out the Chinese market, saying it has a huge potential for Kenyan avocado because its climatic conditions are not conducive to avocado farming.
Kenya produces over 240,000 tonnes of avocado, but only 85 tonnes is for export. Sale of immature avocados said to be a major challenge at the international market.
