The Kenyan export season 2023 opened on the 24th of March this year. The main reason for this was related to poor dry matter due to weather conditions experienced in Kenya.
As most growers and exporters know one can achieve high prices at the beginning and the end of season when the market is not under pressure from excess fruit.
"The Chinese market is a relatively immature market when it comes to avocado. Consumers don’t yet have the same high expectations compared to Europe and the USA. In fact a large percentage of the population consume avocado when it is not even ripe," comments Paul Huish, Senior Commercial Manager at AAA Growers.
"Due to lack of knowledge some exporters take chances and export avocado with dry matter lower than 23 % just chasing price. To export avocado from Kenya to China the product must undergo a fumigation process, which will stress the product. Therefore, to have good arrivals you need to follow the golden rules in the avocado industry dry matter of min 23 %, harvest product from uniform orchards, strict rules when it comes to harvesting and post-harvest regimes and respect the cold chain. These rules are core values of AAA Growers.
Unfortunately, not all exporters out of Kenya respected these criteria and when you pack poor quality avocado and then stress it with fumigation you will have quality issues on arrival. As Kenyan exporters trying to build a brand for Kenyan Avocado, we really must respect these rules."
This season with the massive volumes of Peruvian avocado the Chinese market also came under pressure. Weeks 22 and 23 saw the highest arrivals with 140 & 148 containers arriving. These volumes pushed prices down to a level of 4.68 USD per box.
"At these levels growers and exporters can't make money. It looks like the bulk of Peruvian avocado has been picked and exported and markets will return to acceptable price levels. AAA Growers will start the picks of its second crop this season in two weeks’ time and will be harvesting till end October."
For more information:
Paul Huish
AAA Growers LTD.
paul.huish@aaagrowers.co.ke