Kenya’s fruit export earnings rose 19.8% to KSh5.70 billion in June 2026, from June 2025 making it the second-highest monthly value on record and only the third time monthly receipts have surpassed KSh5 billion.
Export volumes, however, were broadly unchanged at 25,742 tonnes, down just 1.0% year on year. This means the increase in earnings was largely driven by higher value per tonne, which rose by approximately 21%.
For the full 2025/26 financial year, fruit exports totalled 231,727 tonnes worth KSh40.56 billion. This compares with 251,594 tonnes worth KSh43.30 billion in 20924/25 — a 7.9% decline in volume and 6.3% decline in earnings.
The more encouraging signal came in the final quarter. April–June earnings reached KSh14.61 billion, despite slightly lower export tonnage, pointing to improved export values as the year closed.
Avocados remain Kenya’s largest fruit export earner, followed by pineapples and mangoes. The mid-year avocado export season therefore remains an important driver of Kenya’s fruit export cycle. The data presents an interesting distinction between volume and value.
Kenya exported less fruit over the year, but the sharp improvement in value per tonne towards June shows that export earnings can strengthen even without significant volume growth.
For agriculture-linked businesses, therefore, pricing, product mix and access to premium export markets can matter just as much as volumes.
Kenya is now Africa’s top and world 5th largest avocado exporter. Latest numbers show production at 694,000 MT record in 2025, projected 727,000 MT in 2026 or 4.8% increase
Kenya’s fresh export volume was 121,000 MT in 2025, down 23% due to Red Sea crisis as well as AFA suspension on immature fruit), while production in 2026 is forecast at between 130,000-140,000 MT in 2026, an increase of 7.4%.
Avocado is grown mainly in Murang’a, Kiambu, Murang’a, Kisii, Mt Kenya, Migori, Uasin Gishu, and Trans Nzoia. The main avocado Season is March-August, smaller harvests in October-December.
Kenya’s avocado is exported to Netherlands – 24%, UAE 19%, Saudi Arabia 7% – fastest growing premium market, 25% of all fruit exports by value. Other markets are Spain, France, UK, Germany, Italy and China – new boom.
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