A trader selling avocados at Kangemi market in Nairobi. Kisumu avocado farmers expressed joy after the Agricultural and food authority lifted the ban on avocado export due to maturity challenges. [Photo/ nation.co.ke]
Avocado farmers in Kisumu have lauded the Agricultural and Food Authority for lifting the ban on avocado export.The export ban on avocados was enacted on January 21 following claims that farmers were plucking immature crops and exporting them to international markets.The ban came at a time when the price of avocado in the export market was high.Farmers led by John Oroko said the lifting of the ban is a relief to farmers, exporters, and importers. “It is good for the small-scale farmers who produce over 70 percent of avocados which are exported from the country,” he said.He said the temporal ban will help prevent exporters from shipping immature products to the international markets due to high demand.“We are approaching the main avocado season and as farmers, we hope that all industry players will comply with the export policies,” he added.Philip Omondi, also a farmer in the county, urged farmers to allow their avocados to mature before harvesting them for sale."The fruits should be allowed to mature before they are harvested and exported to various markets in and outside the country,” said Omondi.