Kenyans have been assured that there is no ban on exporting avocados to the international market. According to Horticulture Crops Directorate acting director, Christine Chesaro, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has not banned the export of Kenya avocados, as was reported in the media last year. She said they were closing the window for the harvesting season. Every fruit has a harvesting season, and that includes the avocado.
“The main avocado season in the country starts around mid-March to November,” she said. “Any harvesting of the fruit beyond these months is managed and guided through a survey. If we don’t close the window of harvesting avocados when the season ends, we are afraid people will start harvesting immature avocados because they want to make money. Most likely it is not even the farmers' wish but the brokers.”
She said failure to manage the closure and opening of the season could mess the export market. This is because Kenya will be accused of exporting immature fruits, she added.
Source: the-star.co.ke