Karakuta Fresh Produce has launched a 7,500-ton avocado packhouse in Nairobi, aiming to boost export volumes and enhance collaboration with over 1,500 smallholder farmers from Kiambu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, and Meru counties. The facility processes avocados from Karakuta's 73-hectare farm and aggregates produce from these regions.
The initiative seeks to tackle quality control challenges affecting Kenya's position in global avocado markets. Karakuta CEO Grace Ngungi stated, "This packhouse is not just an infrastructure investment — it is a platform for transforming livelihoods." Combining advanced machinery with smallholder networks, the facility aims to meet global standards for quality and traceability.
The packhouse features an Eshel Eilon machine from Israel, financed through a partnership with Equity Group. Equity Group CEO Dr. James Mwangi noted, "Karakuta's journey shows what's possible when ambition meets the right support."
Initially shipping eight containers, the company increased to 18 containers and aims for 60 containers by 2025. Infrastructure like Karakuta's facility is expected to improve compliance with export standards, addressing quality inconsistency issues in Kenya's avocado sector.
Dr. Christine Chesaro from the Horticultural Crops Directorate highlighted the importance of prioritizing emerging markets while maintaining high quality and low chemical residue levels. Avocado Exporters Association of Kenya CEO Joseph Wagurah encouraged smallholders to form organized groups for training and standardization.
Ngungi emphasized, "This facility enables us to consistently meet the quality requirements of export markets and empower smallholder farmers with better returns." The launch reflects a shift towards value addition and export-oriented processing in Kenya's agriculture sector.
Dr. Mwangi added, "Karakuta is showing us that scaling is possible, and that women-led agribusinesses are bankable and transformational."
Source: Capital Business