Kenya continues to set new avocado production records due to expansion and better productivity, but logistical issues are holding back exports
Kenya’s 2025 avocado production volume is estimated at 694,000 tonnes by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) office in Nairobi, the highest level on record.
This surge, from a previous high of 585,000 tonnes, is due to the continued expansion of the harvesting area and improved productivity, a USDA FAS report stated.
Avocado oil processing also increased significantly between 2024 and 2025 from 3,326 tonnes to 10,188 tonnes, the report stated, driven by rising demand in high income markets.
However, despite record production, 2025 exports are expected to fall to 121,000 tonnes as a result of disruptions in the Red Sea and export controls implemented by the Kenyan Agriculture and Food Authority from 20 October 2025.
Kenya remained Africa’s number one exporter of avocados in 2025, followed by Morocco and South Africa. “However, Moroccan avocados achieved higher prices, highlighting Kenya’s ongoing quality challenges,” the report revealed.
The Netherlands remained the main export market, accounting for 24 per cent of volume, followed by the UAE with 19 per cent, up 3 per cent, Spain and France with 11 per cent and Turkey and Germany on 5 per cent.
The report singled out emerging markets like China and Iraq, which saw volumes increase by 137 and 78 per cent respectively, as well as India, Italy and Oman.
“Looking ahead, FAS Nairobi forecasts 2026 production to expand by 4.8 per cent to approximately 727,000 and exports to increase by 7.4 per cent to 130,000 tonnes,” the report said.
However, major disruptions to shipping due to the current Gulf crisis could affect this forecast. Anne Kavai, sales manager at Keitt Exporters, commented: “In a nutshell, we have really been affected by the ongoing Middle East crisis, which is impacting both air and sea shipments of avocados.”
