Hass avocado variety is the most common for exporters as it has a massive market in Europe as compared to other varieties. When ripe, hass variety turns dark purple. Its benefits as compared to other varieties of avocado are tremendous as seen below;-

  • High in protein and mineral content as compared to animal protein
  • They are an essential source of cholesterol
  • Hass avocado are used in cosmetics such as manufacture of facial and hair oil.
  • Apart from earning foreign currency for the country, hass avocado earns a substantial amount of income for farmers.

When venturing in avocado farming, remember it's a lifetime investment and you therefore need to be careful in what you do. its grown both by large-scale farmers and small scale farmers.

Kenya sits on a tropical belt which is ideal for avocado and other tropical fruits. Consumers like African avocados as they are regarded to be both sweet and big. South Africa and Kenya are the biggest producers of hass avocado.

Hass avocados from Kenya normally flower at around October and mature between march and September. It is mandatory to know when it's the right time to identify the correct harvesting period because hass avocados are harvested raw and ripen off the tree. Most exporters have done their research and know when hass avocado are ready for harvest in different areas in Kenya. From the farms, avocado is sent direct to the pack houses where it is prepared and processed ready for shipping. Main exporters include, Selina wamucii, Kakuzi Ltd, Sasini, Mt Kenya Avocado, oxfarm.co.ke.. e.t.c,.

Requirements For Exporters

You do not just wake one day and decide to export fresh produce, there are different procedures you must follow for you to be allowed to ship fruits. Before any farm produce can find its way to the export shed, several certifications are required. its however not that hard as many farmers from central region have enjoyed avocado export business for more than 15 years now.

Form Bargaining groups

While all exporters of avocado look for quality, they also look for quantity. Don't expect an exporter to come to your farm if you only have one tree. Therefore, the best thing to do is to form a group with a management team. This management will be able to sell your ideas and bargain for better pay. For instance if you live in Maragwa, Muranga county and 100 of you with each farmer having an average of 100 trees, that means the number of trees in your region are about 10,000. With this kind of a number in one area, you can bargain for better pay and any exporter will listen.

For entrepreneurs intending to export directly to the international markets to succeed, one will need among others a solid financial partner, a reliable logistics company, and an experienced body of staff to ensure compliance with several standards.

There are various government bodies including Kenya Plant health Inspectorate Service and Exports Promotion Council that have been institutionalized to help entrepreneurs crack the export business.

Get your facts right and do the right thing and market for your hass avocado won't be a problem.