This archive report was first published on 10 January 2020.
On January 10, 2020, officers from the Agriculture Foods Authority (AFA) intercepted three containers suspected to ferry immature avocados in Mombasa.
The containers, valued at 75 tonnes, were being held in Mombasa as investigations commenced to determine if the fruits were ready for export.
AFA Interim Director Antony Mureithi stated that the fruits were suspected to be harvested from Kandara in Murang'a County and were about to be exported before being intercepted.
According to Mureithi, the consignment will be thoroughly inspected to ascertain if the avocados attained maturity level needed to qualify for export.
He warned farmers against harvesting immature avocados, as this may prompt international buyers to ban avocados from Kenya.
"If the avocados in the containers will be found to be immature, disciplinary measures will be taken against the dealers for going against regulations issued to guide harvesting of avocados," Mureithi added.
Earlier, in December 2019, Murang'a County Government warned farmers against being incited by brokers to harvest immature avocados.
County Governor Mwangi –wa- Iria stated that his Administration would issue time lines on when farmers would start harvesting their fruits to avoid entry of immature avocados into the international market.
Avocado Society of Kenya Chief Executive Officer Ernest Muthomi warned that international buyers may ban Kenyan avocados if those exported are found to be immature.
He emphasized that members of his Society are adequately advised and educated on the right time to harvest the fruits.
"Kenyan avocados are of better quality but if immature fruits penetrate into the market, buyers may shun buying our fruits. We advise farmers not to fall prey to brokers," Muthomi added.
