NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 30 – Kenya is looking for avocado markets in Malaysia as it finalizes import requirements in the Asian country.
Kenya’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Francis Muhoro, wrote a letter to the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate (KEPHIS) to finalize import requirements for commodities.
Malaysia offers an untapped market for the local avocado industry a few months after the country began exporting the products to China last year, cementing its place as the continent’s leading exporter of the fruit and the sixth largest globally.
Data from the Horticulture Crops Directorate (HCD) at Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority shows that avocado exports rose from 66 million tonnes in 2018 to 86 million tonnes in 2021.
In 2022, Kenya’s avocado export value was estimated at $15.15 billion, according to Statistics.
Muhoro said Kenya offers a sizeable market for Malaysia in areas such as agro-processing value addition, manufacturing, and tourism.
Current trend analysis indicates that Kenya is the leading trade partner and major export destination for Malaysian products.
This is set to change as Kenya seeks greater product diversification to suit the Malaysian market.
Muhoro spoke during the Kenya–Malaysia Business Forum held in Nairobi.
The forum sought to strengthen Kenya-Malaysia bilateral ties, especially in the sectors of agro-processing and manufacturing.
It brought together individuals from different sectors such as agriculture—soil enhancement, goat and sheep vaccines; medical equipment and items; energy; construction; education; ICT; general export and import of goods; and logistics.
During the forum, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) also signed an MOU with the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KLSICCI).
The MOU seeks to ensure that both chambers engage through events, investment promotions, B2B marketing, investment promotion missions, and the sharing of market research, portfolio connections, and technology transfer, among others.
The trade mission was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Kenya High Commission in Malaysia and the Malaysian High Commission in Kenya, among others.
