Jack Njoroge is Business Development Manager at Avodemia Limited. The country has entered the final months of its avocado peak season. Jack comments on the recent market: “The October season has come to an end and we have done our last consignments to China. This shipment will arrive in the beginning of December. The season will restart in January, but ideal conditions start from February.”
In October and November, the avocado trees are flowering in Kenya, so it's important that there is adequate rainfall. Jack continues: “We hope there will be enough rain. If there is enough rainfall, we will have a larger crop for next season.”
Avodemia Kenya is preparing for next year's export season and actively looking for partners in China.
The team of Avodemia Kenia
Avocados ready for long-distance shipments
Avocado Growing in Kenya
Kenya is an equatorial climate country. Most counties in Kenya receive a minimum of two rainy seasons.
Hass avocado grows well in altitudes between 1000m to 2000m. The optimum temperature is 20 to 24 degrees Celsius.
Although avocados are fairly resistant to drought, well-distributed rainfall of between 1000-1600mm is necessary for proper crop development. They also require well-drained soils. The best soils are slightly sandy or alluvial loams with PH ranging from 5 to 7.
Too much rain, on the other hand, is unfavourable. It causes fungal diseases to become prevalent in wet weather. It might also lead to the shedding of flowers during the flowering season, resulting in a significant reduction in production.
A short period of dry weather of up to two months usually triggers flowering.
The avocado tree needs high relative humidity at flowering (about 65% and above), then moderate levels during the fruit swelling stage. Too much humidity encourages pests and diseases such as thrips, scales, Cercospora spot, scab and anthracnose.
Fresh Hass avocados by Avodemia
Growing Areas
Most of the Kenyan avocado farmers are found in Murang’a, Kiambu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru (the entire Mount Kenya region) and Kisii. The other regions where avocado farming is fast growing include Nakuru, Nandi, Bomet, Uasin Gishu, Trans- Nzoia, Bungoma, and Siaya counties. Avocados also do well in certain areas in Machakos County.
For more information:
Jack Njoroge
Business Development Manager
Avodemia Limited
jack@Avodemia.com & support@avodemia.com
https://www.avodemia.com