No
doubt the Hass avocado farming business in Kenya is mainly supported by the
global market. This is because we export most of the fruits we produce to sell
them in the same market as other major producers in the world like Peru, Mexico,
Columbia and Spain. South Africa is also a major supplier to this market but
Kenya recently overtook it to become Africa’s top exporter of avocado.
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| Avocado farming in Kenya |
As
such, the Kenyan avocado exporters have to maintain a high quality standard in
order to remain competitive and get better prices. However, that is not the only
factor that influences prices. Any event in a major avocado producing country,
which has an effect in the production or distribution of the fruits in the
world market, is bound to influence prices.
For
example, the avocado prices faced a sharp decline last year (2019) towards the
end of November – it was a drop from €18 (Ksh2,025) to €7 (Ksh787) for a 4kg
box. That happened within a very short time of just about 2 weeks.
What caused such a sharp decline?
According
to Produce IT, a Dutch company that grows avocados in Mexico and exports them
to the global market in Europe and America, a culmination of several
circumstances caused the price drop.
"There
were a lot of strikes during the Chilean season. All the fruit came late onto
the market, all at once. Those were then poorer quality products that had to be
sold quickly. Peru offered avocados until the end of November. Kenya also kept
sending more product too. The usual countries of origin also come on the market
with more avocados every year. These countries include Mexico, Colombia, and
Spain." Said Ruud Kester of Produce IT.
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| Kenyan Avocado |
What was the effect on avocado farming in Kenya?
Any
time there is such a drop in the prices of avocado in the export market, the avocado
export companies in Kenya always pass the burden to the farmer.
However,
the good news is that the avocado season in Kenya starts in April and extends
to around early October, a time during which there is low supply in the global
market hence prices are high and fairly stable. During that window, the price
of a 4kg carton can go as high as €20 (Ksh2,250).
Read Also:
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| Hass avocado farming guide: Kenya |
1 comment:
Can avocados yeild fruits from November to march
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