Morocco Overtakes Kenya as Africa’s Top Avocado Exporter in 2025 Amid Shifting Trade Dynamics
Africa’s avocado industry experienced a significant shakeup in 2025, with Morocco emerging as the continent’s leading exporter for the first time. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Tropical Fruits Market Review, African avocado exports surged by 16.7% to 430,000 tonnes, driven by robust demand from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Morocco’s exports alone skyrocketed by 90%, reaching 141,000 tonnes and surpassing Kenya, which previously held the top spot.
This dramatic shift underscores how logistics, infrastructure, and market access are becoming just as critical as agricultural output in shaping the global avocado trade. While Kenya struggled with shipping disruptions and regulatory challenges, Morocco capitalized on its geographic proximity to Europe and significant investments in irrigation and packhouses.
Kenya’s Export Woes
Kenya, once Africa’s avocado powerhouse, saw its export volumes drop by 19% to 105,164 tonnes in 2025. The FAO attributed this decline primarily to logistics constraints, including disruptions along the Red Sea route due to security concerns near the Suez Canal. Many carriers rerouted shipments around the Cape of Good Hope, extending transit times and increasing freight costs. For Kenya, whose primary market is the European Union, these delays directly impacted fruit quality and shelf life.
Compounding the issue, Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority suspended sea shipments during parts of the season to enforce export standards, forcing some consignments to rely on air freight. This move followed repeated quality concerns from European buyers about immature fruit.
Morocco’s Rise to Dominance
Morocco’s ascent to the top was propelled by several factors. Its geographic location allows for shipping times of just a few days to southern Europe, compared to several weeks for shipments from East Africa. Additionally, Morocco has steadily expanded its avocado production over the past five years, supported by irrigation investments and new orchards in regions like Souss Massa and Gharb. Export packhouses have also scaled operations to meet European supermarket specifications.
Beyond Morocco: Africa’s Avocado Landscape
While Morocco leads, other African nations are carving out their niches in the global avocado trade. Tanzania has solidified its position as India’s primary avocado supplier, benefiting from zero-duty access and favourable transit times. South Africa, meanwhile, has maintained stable export volumes despite port bottlenecks, targeting emerging markets like India, China, and the Middle East to diversify beyond Europe.
Egypt is also making strides, with companies like Pico planning to double their planted area over the next four years. Egypt’s export window, from mid-November to February, avoids peak competition from Latin American suppliers, giving it a strategic advantage.
Global Demand Fuels Growth
The global appetite for avocados continues to grow, with FAO data showing a 13% increase in worldwide shipments in 2025. Europe remains the largest consumer, absorbing 30% of global volumes, with per capita consumption varying significantly across countries. Germany and France lead, while Nordic countries and the UK show potential for further growth.
Emerging markets are also driving demand. India’s avocado imports have surged, more than doubling annually for the past four years, reaching 19,120 tonnes in 2025. The Gulf region, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, is another hotspot, with Morocco and Kenya competing for market share.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Africa’s avocado industry faces both challenges and opportunities. As Wahiga Macharia of the Avocado Society of Kenya noted, “It is no longer about who plants the most trees but who connects orchard to shelf most efficiently.” Infrastructure, cold chain efficiency, and compliance systems are increasingly shaping trade flows.
South Africa’s government, for instance, is deploying additional agricultural attachés to expedite phytosanitary approvals in high-growth markets like India and China. Such initiatives highlight the importance of policy coordination in unlocking new export corridors.
The Road Ahead
While Morocco leads the pack, the race for avocado supremacy in Africa is far from over. As Shelly Vorster of the World Avocado Organisation emphasized, demand growth hinges on consistent quality. A single poor eating experience can deter repeat purchases for up to 13 weeks—a risk exporters cannot afford.
Africa’s collective share of the global avocado market is rising, but sustaining this momentum will require a concerted focus on logistics, infrastructure, and market intelligence. As Macharia aptly put it, “Ports, shipping lanes, compliance regimes, and diplomatic access increasingly determine who captures value.”
Reported by Nexio News
