The government on Tuesday announced that it decided to close its 2023/2024 fiscal year avocado season, and there will be no exports of the produce starting Nov. 3.

In a statement, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) said closure is intended to prevent the harvesting and exporting of immature fruits. This practice had harmed the country’s export market in the past.

AFA Director-General Willis Audi noted that export clearance (including consignments from the East Africa Community) shall be granted for air shipment only, subject to inspection by the directorate.

“Traceability information will be required for all consignments. We will review the ban in mid-January 2024,” he said

Further, he said the closure will help sustain and grow the international market for the East African nation and minimize interruptions in the crop cycle caused by the harvesting of immature fruits.

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Kenya is one of the leading avocado producers in Africa and exports the fruits to the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, China, France, Spain, Turkey, the European Union, and the United States.

According to the AFA, Kenya exports up to 20,000 metric tonnes of avocados annually to the European Union and the Middle East.

Farmers mainly cultivate three varieties of avocados: Hass, Pinkerton, Fuerte and Jumbo.