Opening of the 2025 Fuerte Avocado Harvesting Season

The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) has officially announced the opening of the 2025 Fuerte avocado harvesting season, effective February 14, 2025.

Background on the Harvesting Suspension

Avocado harvesting and sea exports were suspended on October 25, 2024, to prevent the export of immature fruits and protect Kenya’s reputation in international markets. A survey conducted in late November 2024 confirmed insufficient volumes, leading to the continued suspension. However, a follow-up survey conducted between January 20-23, 2025, revealed that sufficient volumes of Pinkerton and Fuerte avocados were now available in some production zones. Meanwhile, the Hass variety was found to be not yet mature across all major growing regions.

Key Guidelines for Avocado Exporters

Avocado producers and exporters must comply with the following requirements:

• Pinkerton & Fuerte Varieties
•  Export clearance will be granted, subject to packhouse inspection.
•  Hass Variety
• Air shipment of Hass avocados will be allowed only for large own farms or contracted farms with sufficient volumes of mature off-season crops.
•  Export clearance will be subject to packhouse inspection.
• Hass Off-Season Crop (Sea Shipment)
•  Only large farms or contracted farms with sufficient mature Hass avocados will be allowed to be exported by sea.
•  Export clearance will require both farm and packhouse inspection.
• Strict Penalties for Non-Compliance
•  Exporters caught mislabeling Hass avocados as Fuerte for sea shipment will have their export licenses suspended for the entire 2025 avocado export season.
• Ensuring Compliance for a Smooth Export Process

All exporters, importers and processors must strictly adhere to these regulations to ensure a seamless export process. The Horticultural Crops Directorate continues to monitor the maturity patterns of the Hass variety and is actively engaging stakeholders to review the current closure notice.