The Agriculture and Food Authority Horticultural Crops Directive have stated that as of Monday 13th November all mango exporters will be required to apply for physical inspection of mango consignments clearly stating the location of the packhouse to facilitate inspection. The consignment must fully contain mangoes.
"It has come to our attention that the following the closure of the avocado harvesting season and export by sea, some exporters are mixing consignments of mangoes with avocados for sea shipment," said the statement.
"This is detrimental to all Kenyan exporters. The majority of avocado exporters abide by the rules and export according to Government guidelines to maintain our good reputation in our markets, said one Kenyan exporter who did not wish to be named. "If people export avocados when they are not at their best quality people will think twice about buying them again. Also this is causing a big headache for mango exporters who now have to have every shipment checked and authorised, this causes delays, more paperwork and expense.
"There is so much corruption in the fresh produce sector in Kenya, not by the producers, but by the brokers who will do anything for a quick buck. It give us all a bad name,"