Kenyan Avocados Hampered by Logistical Challenges

Kenyan avocado growers enjoyed a successful harvest this year thanks to abundant rainfall, resulting in larger fruit sizes and an extended season. However, logistical challenges, particularly extended transit times to Europe, pose a significant obstacle for fresh fruit exporters. Jane Wangui, commercial director at Sasafresh, a Kenyan grower-exporter of avocados, mangoes, and passion fruit, explains that shipments to Europe now take 37-40 days instead of the usual 21. This dramatically reduces shelf life, impacting the quality of fresh mango and avocado exports despite preservation technologies. While the Kenyan government explores new markets in Asia, the uncertainty surrounding these shipping delays remains a major concern for agricultural exporters.