- January 29, 2025
- Posted by: admin
- Categories: Capacity Building, Compliance & Standards, General Information, Marketing
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) suspended the harvest and export of avocados by sea starting 25th October 2024 to ensure that only mature avocados are harvested and exported. This measure helps preserve the crop cycle by preventing the premature harvesting of fruits, which can lead to reduced yields in subsequent seasons.
AFA has been closely monitoring avocado maturity trends. A survey conducted in late November 2024 revealed that off-season production volumes were insufficient to lift the suspension. However, a subsequent survey on the main-season crop, carried out between 20th and 23rd January 2025, confirmed that Fuerte and Pinkerton varieties have reached maturity in some regions. The Hass variety, however, is not yet ready for harvest in all major production areas.
In view of the above, the Authority wishes to notify all exporters, importers and processors that;
- The opening of Fuerte and Pinkerton harvesting season for sea shipment will come into force with effect from Friday, 14th February 2025. Export clearance for Fuerte and Pinkerton then, shall be granted subject to packhouse inspection only.
- The export of Hass will continue by air shipment, except for large own farms or large contracted farms having sufficient volumes of mature off-season crop. Export clearance by air shipment shall be granted subject to packhouse inspection only.
- Export clearance for Hass off-season crop by sea shipment for large own farms or large contracted farms having sufficient volumes of mature off-season crop, shall be granted subject to both farm and packhouse inspection.
- Exporters found attempting to export the Hass variety by sea shipment, purpoted to be the Fuerte variety (and thus evading the requisite farm inspection), shall have their Export Licences suspended for the 2025 Avocado export season.
- This notice applies to all exporters, importers and processors of avocado fruit.
