World Heart Day 2023: Avocados from Africa expected to drive down prices, improve availability of the superfood

India is the newest export destination for Kenyan avocados that are currently headed for markets in the Netherlands, United States, Spain, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. (Photo courtesy of Avocado Society of Kenya)

In the middle of September 2023, a cargo ship from Africa arrived in Mumbai with a curious consignment. It had a whole container full of avocados sent from Kenya: the first time India was seeing the arrival of avocados from Africa into its market.

The agreement allowing import of Kenyan avocados into the country had been inked a month earlier on August 16 after the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and the National Plant Protection Organisation under the Central government. "It marks a milestone in India-Kenya relationship. It is not just a product or fruit, it represents a culture," says Swadha Rizvi, deputy secretary (East and Southern Africa Division) at the Ministry of External Affairs.

(Photo courtesy of Avocado Society of Kenya)

Kenya is the world's sixth largest avocado producer after Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Indonesia and Dominican Republic. India is the newest export destination for Kenyan avocados that are currently headed for markets in the Netherlands, United States, Spain, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Known for its bouquet of rich nutrients like Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin C, potassium and magnesium, the creamy avocados today reign on top of the list of superfoods that includes kiwi, broccoli and blueberries. "The consumption of avocados in India is growing because of increasing health awareness following the coronavirus pandemic," says Umesh Kamble, founder and CEO of Mumbai-based agro-service provider Farm to Fork.

The arrival of the affordable avocados from Africa is expected to make the domestic superfood market competitive. India imports avocados from countries like Brazil and New Zealand. Market analysts say the current price ranging from Rs 900 to over Rs 1,000 a kilo in Indian metros will come down by u to half with the availability of Kenyan avocados. "The common people will be able to afford the fruit," says Kamble, co-chairman of industry chamber Assocham in Maharashtra.

"The production and consumption of avocados in India is still a small percentage," says Rizvi, who was the chief guest at the launch of Kenyan avocados in India on September 20 in New Delhi. Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra produce small quantities of avocados, which have less oil content compared to the imported varieties.

Kenya's High Commission in New Delhi celebrated the launch of its avocados in India with a cake made with the creamy fruit. (Photo by Faizal Khan)

The journey of Kenyan avocados to India has been a long one. Negotiations between the two countries about avocado exports began eight years ago. "It has been a long journey," says Irene Oloo, Kenya's Deputy High Commissioner to India. "But we are here finally."

According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO)'s agricultural outlook for 2021-30, avocados are expected to become the most traded fruit by 2030. For the growing superfood sector in India, the affordable Kenyan avocados is good news. "Most of the superfood market in India has grown after Covid-19," says Suneet Malhotra, principal enabler at Delhi-based market strategy services company Ground Strategy Consulting. "There is an emerging market for avocados in the country. It will be taking a similar path to the growth of the market for kiwi fruit in India," adds Malhotra.

Kenya exports 23 percent of its production (total production was 416,000 tonnes in 2022), accounting for 82 percent of East Africa's avocado exports. Neighbouring Tanzania is another avocado producer in Africa. The avocado production in Kenya is dominated by small farmers owning fewer than two hectares who produce 70 percent of all Kenyan avocados. The avocado plantations have increased by 14 percent every year, resulting in a 6 percent increase in annual yields.

Swadha Rizvi (left), deputy secretary (East and Southern Africa Division) at the Ministry of External Affairs, who was the chief guest at the launch of Kenyan avocados in India, with Kenya's Deputy High Commissioner Irene Oloo. (Photo by Faizal Khan)

Though the fruit has the lowest production rate among tropical fruits, it has witnessed the fastest production growth in recent years. The FAO estimates say avocado is expected to remain the fastest growing major tropical fruit in 2021-23.

"Kenyan stakeholders in the avocado value chain are vigilant in meeting the set sanitary and phytosanitary conditions set by different markets," says Deputy High Commissioner Oloo.

Bilateral trade is heavily in favour of India with Indian exports to Kenya valued at 1.76 billion dollars last year compared to 67.21 million dollars worth of imports from Kenya. India exports pharmaceutical products, rice, motorcycles and tractors to Kenya while imports from the East African nation include tea, wool and dried peas and beans.