Kenya’s avocado exports to China have reached a value of KES 9 billion ($82 million) in the three months leading up to May 2023. The country exported 7 million kilograms of avocados to China, making it the second-largest market for Kenyan avocados after India. A total of 78 licensed farms, including 58 farms and 20 pack houses, have been approved for avocado exports to China since January. This success follows years of waiting and Beijing’s requirement that the avocados be refrigerated rather than fresh. With a population of over 1.4 billion people, China presents a significant market opportunity for Kenyan avocados. In recent years, Kenya’s avocado exports have been on the rise, reaching 86 million tonnes in 2021 compared to 66 million tonnes in 2018. In 2022, the estimated value of Kenya’s avocado exports was $15.15 billion.
