The Kenyan avocado season has begun with climate disruptions delaying peak harvest times. Despite challenges, quality remains high and demand is strong. Growers have increased avocado acreage, showing confidence in the market. Adaptation strategies such as new technologies are being employed to improve quality amidst ongoing global trade challenges.
The Kenyan avocado season commenced on February 14 with the introduction of green-skinned varieties, soon to be followed by the popular Hass variety. This year, however, climate challenges have negatively impacted the timing of the peak harvest period.
Hassan Nandwa, Managing Director of Fawakih, expresses optimism for the season despite these climate-induced challenges. He remarks on the unpredictable nature of the changing climate, stating, “The climate has really changed, and at times has become unpredictable. On the other hand, we are working hard to adapt. The avocado industry has a long history in the country, and growers have learned how to maintain quality and meet the market’s requirements.”
According to Mr. Nandwa, climate change has altered the timing of avocado flowering in Kenya, causing the production timeline to shift. He notes, “This has tampered with production and delayed the season by one month, particularly for the Hass variety. Whereas we used to reach peak volumes in March, the norm is changing this year and we expect big volumes in April.”
Despite these disruptions, the quality of Kenyan avocados remains high. Nandwa asserts, “On the other hand, quality is intact. The quality of Kenyan avocados is improving year on year, and we are confident of achieving the best quality standards of the market.”
As the season begins, demand for avocados appears strong. Nandwa remarks on the resilience of global trade, stating, “Global trade is also experiencing disruptions, but we see that demand for avocados remains solid. Kenyan origin remains resilient thanks to consistent quality. We can rely on our markets in Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East.”
In light of these factors, the acreage dedicated to avocado cultivation has increased from 30,000 to 34,000 hectares, reflecting growers’ confidence in sustained demand.
Another challenge affecting Kenyan avocado exports is the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea. Nandwa comments on the proactive measures adopted by producers, stating, “We are doing our best to adopt the latest technologies to delay fruit ripening, for example by using active CA containers, ethylene absorbers, etc. and this challenge has really opened the eyes of Kenyan growers and exporters, leading to better quality.
In summary, the Kenyan avocado season is influenced by disruptive climate conditions that have delayed peak harvest times, particularly for the Hass variety. Despite these challenges, the quality of avocados remains high, and there is strong global demand for Kenyan produce. Furthermore, an increase in cultivation acreage indicates a positive outlook for the industry amidst ongoing challenges. The creative use of technology to enhance quality is seen as an adaptive response from Kenyan growers.
Original Source: www.freshplaza.com
