Kenya Leads Avocado Production in Africa and World – Avocado Farming in Kenya

Kenya is the largest avocado producer in Africa and one of the leading producers in the world. 

Kenya ranked sixth in global avocado farming and production in 2023, behind Mexico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and Indonesia. 

This article, therefore, compares Kenya’s avocado production with the five countries, highlighting total production volumes in tons, yields in kilograms per hectare, area harvested in hectares, and the value of the crop in constant international dollars.

Read: Murang'a County leading in avocado production in Kenya

Quick Facts

1. Mexico led in global avocado production in 2023, producing 2.97 million tons, compared to 542,278 tons produced by Kenya.
2. The Dominican Republic had the highest avocado yields in 2023 at 21,234 kg/ha, followed by Kenya with a total yield of 16,222 kg/ha.
3. Mexico led in total area harvested in 2023, harvesting 253,309 hectares of avocados. Kenya harvested 33,428 hectares in 2023.

Top avocado producers in Africa and the world by production volumes

Kenya is the largest avocado producer in Africa, producing 542,278 tons of avocados in 2023.^[1] Below is a list of the top ten leading avocado producers in Africa.

1. Kenya 542,278 t
2. Ethiopia 167,557 t
3. Morocco 118,666 t
4. South Africa 108,880 t
5. Malawi 94,334 t
6. Zimbabwe 91,017 t
7. Cameroon 77,390 t
8. DRC 61,726 t
9. Angola 58,231 t
10. Madagascar 27,543 t

However, globally, Kenya ranks sixth among the leading avocado producers behind Mexico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and Indonesia. 

Below is a list of the top avocado producers in the world by production volumes:

1. Mexico 2,973,344 t
2. Colombia 1,085,766 t
3. Dominican Republic 1,016,835 t
4. Peru 982,559 t
5. Indonesia 874,046 t
6. Kenya 542,278 t
7. Brazil 422,545 t

The chart below shows historical trends in avocado production among the top avocado producers in the world.

Mexico stands out as the dominant avocado producer in the world by a large margin.

Leading avocado producers in the world by total area harvested

In Africa, Kenya leads in the area of avocados harvested, followed by Ethiopia, South Africa, and Malawi.

1. Kenya 33,428 ha
2. Ethiopia 29,206 ha
3. South Africa 22,053 ha
4. Malawi 17,967 ha
5. Cameroon 16,761 ha

Globally, however, Mexico leads in the area of avocados harvested, followed by Colombia.

1. Mexico 253,309 ha
2. Colombia 106,714 ha
3. Indonesia 65,177 ha
4. Peru 63,078 ha
5. Dominican Republic 47,886 ha
6. Kenya 33,428 ha
7. Brazil 22,697 ha

Avocado yields across the world

Higher production volumes in some countries could be attributed to larger areas harvested. However, in others, higher production results from higher volumes per hectare.

Zimbabwe has the highest avocado yields, harvesting 39,504 kilograms per hectare. Kenya is second, with a total yield of 16,222 kg/ha.

1. Zimbabwe 39,504 kg/ha
2. Kenya 16,222 kg/ha
3. Angola 11,916 kg/ha
4. Seychelles 11,549 kg/ha
5. Tunisia 10,836 kg/ha
6. Morocco 10, 363 kg/ha

The Dominican Republic has the highest avocado yields among the largest avocado producers globally.

1. Dominican Republic 21,234 kg/ha
2. Brazil 18,617 kg/ha
3. Kenya 16,222 kg/ha
4. Peru 15,577 kg/ha
5. Indonesia 13,410 kg/ha
6. Mexico 11,738 kg/ha
7. Colombia 10,174 kg/ha

Value of avocado production in Africa and the world

To compare the value of avocados produced worldwide, we use international dollars (Int$), a fictitious currency that accounts for differences in living costs between countries.^[2]

The international dollar adjusts for inflation and reduces the influence of short-term currency fluctuations, thus making it possible to compare economic data across countries.

In Africa, the gross production values of avocados were as follows in 2014 – 2016 international dollars:

1. Kenya $495.3 million
2. Ethiopia $153 million
3. Morocco $108.4 million
4. South Africa $99.5 million
5. Malawi $86.2 million
6. Zimbabwe $83.1 million
7. Cameroon $70.7 million
8. DRC $56.4 million
9. Angola $53.2 million
10. Côte d'Ivoire $34.1 million

Globally, Mexico recorded the highest gross values in avocado production, followed by Colombia and the Dominican Republic.

1. Mexico $2.7 billion
2. Colombia $991.8 million
3. Dominican Republic $928.8 million
4. Peru $897.5 million
5. Indonesia $798.4 million
6. Kenya $495.3 million
7. Brazil $386 million
8. China $126 million
9. USA $106.8 million
10. Australia $105.4 million

For additional information on avocado farming, including the avocado supply chain in Kenya, export business, prices for Hass and Fuerte varieties, oil processing, and orcharding, kindly contact us on +254 769 513 538 or email us at info@statskenya.co.ke. 

See Also

1. Avocado Production in Kenya by County
2. Wheat Production in Kenya by County
3. Maize Production in Kenya by County
4. Kenya Food Crop Statistics 

References