Avacado fruit [photophoto/avacadosfrommexico.com]
Farmers have welcomed the move by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) to lift a temporary ban on the export of avocados due to challenges of maturity.
The ban that was enacted on January 21 came at a time when the price of the fruit in the export market was high.
Selina Wamucii CEO John Oroko said the lifting of the suspension was a relief to farmers, exporters and importers.
“It is definitely very good news for the small family growers who produce more than 70 percent of avocado that is exported from Kenya,” he said.
Mr Oroko noted that the temporary ban was a wake-up call for the exporters who were shipping immature products to the international market because of demand.
“We are now getting into the main avocado season and hope that all industry players will comply with the export requirements,” said the CEO.
He added: “The responsibility is now on the exporters to follow protocols to avoid any future suspensions.”
For Jamii Avocado Ltd, a firm in Kericho, an estimated 150 tonnes of fruits will finally make it to the international market.
The price of this precious fruit had doubled which led to the ban.