Lubao FM News 
Kenya is the leading exporter of avocado in Africa and among the top 10 in the world according to new data from the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Horticulture Directorate.
In 11 months covering January to November 2020, the volume of avocado exports stood at 70.3 million kilos with a value of Ksh.14.5 billion.
In the same period this year, exports of the fruit have stood at 84.5 million kilos with a value of Ksh.14.4 billion.
The avocado export earnings beat that of pineapples and mangoes which raked in Ksh.1.4 and Ksh.1.2 billion respectively in the first 11 months of 2021.
The leading producer of avocado exports has been the County of Muranga representing 31 per cent of total exports by value and produce ahead of Kiambu, Nakuru, Kisii, Nyamira and Meru.
The counties of Nyeri, Laikipia, Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu have meanwhile nearly doubled areas under avocado production.
Despite the high ranking of avocado exports, Kenya still only exports about 10 per cent of total avocado output.
AFA is expected to review and open avocado exports on January 15 after closing the harvest season on November 15 to prevent the harvesting of immature avocado fruit.
The closed season has affected the hass and fuerte varieties while the export of the jumbo variety continues in limited capacity.
