Africa’s avocado exports surged to 430,000 tons in 2025, marking a 16.7% increase from the previous year, driven by rising demand in Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. This growth has been accompanied by shifts in logistics and market access, which have reshaped the continent’s export rankings. Morocco has emerged as the top exporter for the first time, recording a 90% year-on-year increase in volumes, according to the FAO.

Logistics Challenges Impact Kenya’s Position

Kenya, once the continent’s leading exporter, has dropped to second place with an estimated 105,164 tons, a 19% decline. The FAO attributes this drop to logistical constraints, including disruptions along key shipping corridors such as the Red Sea route. Security concerns near the Suez Canal have forced carriers to reroute shipments via the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing transit times and freight costs.

For Kenya, whose primary export market is the European Union, these longer transit times are affecting the quality and shelf life of the avocados. In contrast, Moroccan ports such as Tangier Med allow for much faster shipping to southern Europe, with transit times measured in days rather than weeks, providing a significant competitive advantage.

Morocco’s Expansion Driven by Investment

Morocco’s rise in avocado exports has been supported by significant investments in irrigation and new orchards in regions such as Souss Massa and Gharb. Export packhouses have also aligned grading standards with those of European supermarkets, helping to meet the stringent requirements of international markets.

In Kenya, production declined in 2024 due to weather variability, but was projected to increase by 4% in 2025 as planted areas and yields expanded. Regulatory actions have also influenced export flows. In late 2025, Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority suspended some sea shipments to safeguard export standards, limiting consignments and prioritising compliance with international regulations.

Europe’s Growing Appetite for Avocados

European Union consumption of avocados reached a record 1.07 million tons in 2025, absorbing around 30% of global volumes, according to the World Avocado Organisation. Per capita intake averages around 2 kg in Nordic countries and Germany, 1.8 kg in the UK, and 2.3 kg in France.

South Africa, which exports about 40% of its annual production of 155,000 tons, is now targeting India, China, and the Middle East to diversify beyond Europe. India’s avocado imports have grown dramatically, rising from 1,871 tons in 2022 to 19,120 tons in 2025. Tanzania remains the dominant origin in India due to duty-free access and shorter transit times.

Wahiga Macharia of the Avocado Society of Kenya noted that the avocado export industry is increasingly shaped by route reliability, cold chain efficiency, and compliance systems. ‘Ports, shipping lanes, compliance regimes, and diplomatic access increasingly determine who captures value,’ Macharia said.

As Africa’s avocado industry continues to evolve, the interplay between logistics, regulatory compliance, and market access will remain critical in shaping the continent’s export performance. With Morocco leading the charge, the future of Africa’s avocado trade looks increasingly dynamic.