Kenya has in recent years emerged as Africa’s avocado giant, earning the fruit the name “green gold” because of its contribution to farmer incomes, export earnings, and nutrition. From smallholder farms in Makueni to bustling export hubs in Nairobi, avocados have become a story of resilience, innovation, and opportunity.
Yet the industry stands at a crossroads. The demand is rising globally, but expectations on sustainability, traceability, and value addition are increasing just as fast. That is why Sergeantsville Limited, together with national and local partners, is convening the Avocado Summit Kenya, Makueni Chapter — the 1st Makueni Avocado Summit 2025.
The summit will be held on 30th – 31st October 2025 at The Base Hotel, Kikima, Mbooni, bringing together farmers, exporters, innovators, policymakers, certifiers, and investors to co-create the future of Kenya’s avocado sector.
The Avocado Summit Kenya is more than an event; it is a movement to secure the future of Kenya’s avocado industry, and the Makueni Avocado Summit is its heartbeat.
Kenya’s Avocado Landscape
Kenya is the sixth-largest avocado exporter in the world and the largest in Africa, with production spread across counties like Makueni, Murang’a, Kisii, Nyeri, Kiambu, and Nakuru.
According to the USDA:
- Production is expected to increase by 4% in 2025 to 585,000 metric tons, recovering from an 11.2% drop in 2024 caused by insufficient rainfall.
- Exports are forecasted to grow 5% to 135,000 metric tons in 2025, buoyed by new access to markets in Iraq, South Korea, and India.
- The value of exports rose by 11% in 2024, hitting $159 million despite lower yields, proof of strong global demand.
- Domestic consumption is expected to reach 280,000 tons in 2025, showing a rising local appetite for avocados.
These numbers demonstrate why the Avocado Summit Kenya is timely. The industry is expanding, but so are the pressures to innovate, regulate, and sustain growth responsibly.
Avocado Farming in Makueni: The Foundation of the Makueni Avocado Summit
Makueni County has steadily become one of Kenya’s most promising avocado-producing zones. Currently, it has 340 hectares under avocado production, yielding 3,400 metric tons annually. The wards of Ukia, Kilungu, Mbooni, Kitundu Kithungo, Tulimani, and Kako Waia lead the county in production, especially for Hass and Fuerte varieties.
Several factors drive Makueni’s growth:
- Increased Planted Area: The Department of Agriculture distributed 120,000 Hass scions, boosting adoption of the variety with the highest export demand. Nationally, avocado area is projected to rise by 6% to 95,000 hectares.
- Improved Quality Control: Training and quality measures are helping Makueni farmers produce export-ready fruit.
- Rising Export Value: Kenya’s avocado exports, even in years of lower yield, continue to climb in value, reflecting high global prices.
- Future Expansion: With climate-resilient farming and irrigation, Makueni has potential to become one of Kenya’s top producers.
The Makueni Avocado Summit will spotlight these local gains, showing how grassroots innovation can transform national outcomes.
Avocado Varieties in Kenya
While Hass and Fuerte dominate exports, Kenya actually grows a diverse portfolio of avocado varieties. The Avocado Summit Kenya, Makueni Chapter will explore the potential of each type:
1. Hass Avocado
- Oval fruit with pebbly skin that darkens to purple-black when ripe.
- Most popular for export markets due to taste, oil content, and shelf life.
- Harvested between June and September, aligning with global off-season demand.
2. Fuerte Avocado
- Smooth-skinned and pear-shaped, remaining green when ripe.
- Favored locally and regionally, with high oil content.
- Popular as an early-season variety.
3. Puebla Avocado
- Dark-skinned, purple variety, often used in breeding programs.
- Grown in smaller quantities but known for unique flavor.
4. Nabal Avocado
- Large, round fruit with green skin.
- Grown for both domestic use and niche export markets.
5. Pinkerton Avocado
- Long, pear-shaped fruit with small seeds, producing high flesh yield.
- Gaining popularity for both local and export consumption.
6. Bacon Avocado
- Smooth-skinned, medium-sized fruit.
- Less common in Kenya but important for diversifying production.
By diversifying varieties, Kenya can extend its harvest season, meet different market needs, and reduce reliance on only Hass and Fuerte.
Uses of Avocados: A Fruit with Endless Value
The Avocado Summit Kenya will also highlight how versatile avocados are, making them more than just a fruit:
- Nutritional Uses: Avocados are packed with monounsaturated fats, dietary fiber, vitamins C, E, K, and B6, and potassium. They lower cholesterol, support heart health, and improve skin vitality.
- Culinary Uses: From guacamole to smoothies, spreads, and baked goods, avocados are celebrated globally as a gourmet staple.
- Industrial Uses: Avocado oil is valued in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and wellness products. By-products can be used for animal feed or biofuel.
- Medicinal Uses: Research shows potential benefits for diabetes management, weight control, and inflammation reduction.
- Local Livelihoods: Beyond exports, avocados are a food security crop in Kenya, ensuring families have access to affordable, nutritious diets.
This multiplicity of uses demonstrates why Kenya must treat avocados as a strategic economic asset.
Global Market Dynamics
Kenya exports avocados to more than 20 countries, including:
- United Kingdom (largest importer)
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
- Russia
- Egypt
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Hong Kong
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- South Africa
- Ghana
Emerging markets — India, South Korea, and Iraq — offer tremendous growth potential. But with opportunity comes responsibility: global buyers are increasingly concerned about traceability, sustainability, and social impact.
The Makueni Avocado Summit will provide tools and insights for Kenyan stakeholders to thrive in this competitive landscape.
Why the Avocado Summit Kenya, Makueni Chapter Matters
The Makueni Avocado Summit is not just about production. It is about preparing Kenya for the future. It unites:
- Farmers, eager for training, seedlings, and access to new markets.
- Exporters, searching for quality and reliable suppliers.
- Buyers, keen to understand Kenya’s capacity.
- Innovators, offering solutions in irrigation, cold chain, and blockchain traceability.
- Policymakers, ready to build enabling frameworks.
It is a convergence of commerce and sustainability, designed to secure Kenya’s place as a global avocado powerhouse.
Building a Responsible Avocado Future
As consumer markets evolve, success will depend not only on yield but also on:
- Water sustainability and climate-smart farming.
- Certifications that open doors to premium markets.
- Traceability systems ensuring buyers trust Kenyan produce.
- Value addition — from avocado oil and cosmetics to animal feed and powders.
The Avocado Summit Kenya, Makueni Chapter will provide a platform to address these pressing challenges.
Don’t Miss Out
The avocado sector is evolving rapidly. Kenya has the chance to lead globally, but only if stakeholders work together. The Avocado Summit Kenya, Makueni Chapter, organized by Sergeantsville Limited, is where the industry’s future will be shaped.
📅 Date: 30th – 31st October 2025
📍 Venue: The Base Hotel, Kikima, Mbooni
📧 Inquiries: info@sergeantsville.net
📞 Contacts: 0720284389 / 0725026652 / 0798307975
Be part of the 1st Makueni Avocado Summit 2025 — the definitive Avocado Summit Kenya experience. Together, we build the future of green gold.
