This archive report was first published on 4 November 2019.
On November 4, 2019, the differing positions taken by senior government officials on Chinese avocado export quality rules were a blot on official policy.
State officials are ideally supposed to read from the same script, especially when it comes to matters international. However, the clash between top Trade and Agriculture ministries should be quickly nipped in the bud.
According to the Trade and Industry ministry, negotiations were ongoing with the Chinese government to reverse Beijing's requirement that only frozen avocado can be exported. In contrast, the Agriculture ministry maintained that the rule should not be relaxed in order to safeguard Kenyan produce exported to that market.
The public spat between the two ministries does not augur well for the country's image, as it only shows that the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.
Kenyan avocado is reportedly prone to fruit flies, and the government had signed a deal in July that farmers would only be allowed to export frozen avocado to China. We urge the ministries to work together in ensuring that our farmers do not suffer as a result.
