The government has extended the ban imposed last year on harvesting and export of popular avocado varieties.
The Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) announced the move on January 24, 2022 following a meeting with chief executives of avocado industry associations.
The directorate did not set a new date for when the next review of the ban will be undertaken
HCD Director Benjamin Tito in a notice on Monday said exports of the jumbo variety would continue via air, limited to a size of 184 grams per avocado fruit.
Kenya imposed a ban on export of the two popular avocado varieties on November 15 last year to limit harvesting of immature fruit which do not ripen, limiting the competitiveness of the country’s produce in the global market.
However, the government allowed export of the jumbo variety to continue but via air only and limited to fruits weighing a maximum of 184 grams.
The ban on harvesting of the crop is set to add pressure on the cost of avocado due to shortage in the market.
Edited by Sam Oduor