NAIROBI, Kenya, July 31 – Kenyan agricultural company Kakuzi PLC has exported its first shipment of Hass variety avocados to Shanghai, China.

The farming company described it as a momentous event for the business.

“Historic moment tonight as we witnessed the loading of the export cargo of our first fresh avocado fruits in Shanghai, China,” Kakuzi PLC said on its Twitter page.

The agribusiness on Friday began field harvesting and pre-shipment plans for its Hass variety avocado ahead of its inaugural shipment to China which took place last night.

This is part of Kakuzi’s trial system following a nod from China’s National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) for the company’s export of fresh avocados.

In addition to this, exporting avocados to China is part of the company’s strategic plan to diversify its market, explore and unlock export opportunities for avocados even as consumer demand increases.

In an earlier communication after receiving approval to export avocados to China, Kakuzi PLC Managing Director (MD), Chris Flowers, said the trial will allow the company to refine its internal processes by collaboration with maritime and related agencies.

He further commended the support and cooperation he has received from the Government of Kenya as he has played an important role in diversifying Kenya’s avocado export markets beyond European and Middle Eastern markets. East.

The Director General of Kenya Plant Health Inspection Services (KEPHIS), Theophilus Mutui, also reiterated that only companies that have been approved are those exporting avocados to China, with KEPHIS playing a supervisory role.

“Approved entities begin exports of fresh avocados to China under the supervision of KEPHIS. These are the ONLY farms, packing houses and fumigation facilities authorized to export to China,” Mutui said.

He also noted that more companies will be onboarded after an audit and approval by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC).

“However, KEPHIS still conducts audits for farms, packing houses and fumigation facilities interested in exporting fresh avocados to China to ensure compliance with Chinese market requirements. Compliant farms and facilities must also be submitted to the GACC for approval,” he added.

The export of fresh avocados to China follows the signing in early January of two protocols aimed at facilitating bilateral trade, primarily the export of avocados and aquatic products from Kenya to China by the Cabinet Secretary of the ‘Agriculture Peter Munya and Chinese Ambassador Zhou Pingjian.