Last week, the Strathmore Agri-Food Innovation Center (SAFIC) participated in a four-day Avocado Africa Expo 2025 held at the Sarit Expo Centre. The event brought together key stakeholders from across the avocado value chain, with the primary objective of addressing the challenges facing the industry, particularly issues related to market access and improving the quality of Kenya’s avocado products.
The expo attracted a large delegation not only from East Africa but also from West Africa, Europe and other regions around the world. During a panel discussion on enhancing avocado production and productivity, Dr. Denis Mujibi, Associate Centre Director at SAFIC, urged industry players to shift their focus toward farmers. Representing SAFIC, Dr. Mujibi emphasized the Centre’s mission to enhance avocado production by empowering farmers through advisory services and facilitating access to technology and markets. He shared valuable insights and highlighted that SAFIC is collaborating with key stakeholders in developing a Kenya Avocado Atlas as well as designing technological solutions to enhance maturity testing, towards more effective supply chain optimization.
The Expo concluded with a field tour on Friday, starting at Eastern Orchards Ltd in Yatta, Machakos County, followed by a visit to a packhouse, The Fresh Products (EPZ) Limited in Thika, Kiambu County. Participants had the chance to observe firsthand the avocado growing, processing chain for both export purposes and avocado oil extraction.
