The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) announced that sea shipments of avocados will cease on Friday, 30 October 2026, citing low production volumes across the country.

AFA Director General Calistus Efukho said a nationwide survey of the main avocado zones confirmed that the harvest of Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton and Jumbo varieties is insufficient to sustain sea exports, prompting the closure.

The directive also bars avocado oil processors from exporting existing oil stocks without verification by Monday, 2 November 2026, and prohibits the import of avocado fruits for oil processing during the closure.

In a separate warning, Efukho instructed mango exporters to keep mango consignments separate from avocados for sea shipments, stating that mixing the two contravenes the Horticultural Crops Regulations 2020.

Mango exporters are required to ensure that any permit application covers only mango fruits, with no avocado content in the same consignment.

The AFA warned that any exporter or avocado oil processor who violates the closure guidelines risks having their export licence revoked, and that permits will not be issued for non‑compliant consignments.

The notice, dated 28 October 2026, serves as the official communication to all stakeholders and will be enforced from the stated effective date.