[Photo: Kenyan Enterprise]
The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service says the country is eying the Malaysian market for the export of avocados.
The Service says it has received inquiries from Malaysia, whose officials want to visit the country to assess if Kenya can export the produce to the Asian nation.
Managing director Theophilus Mutui says the move will boost Kenyan farmers with more opportunities for local producers to sell their crop outside the traditional markets.
“We have received inquiries from Malaysia and we expect officials from that country to visit soon to kickstart the process of buying our produce,” said Mutui.
Mutui says Kenya has put in place special mechanisms such as the establishment of pest-free zones to contain the insects.
He says Kenya has been missing out on some of the global market such as Europe, because of pests that have seen some overseas markets place a ban on the export of some of Kenya’s produce.
The pest-free zones have been established in Makueni and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
The creation of these areas will guarantee pest-free produce being exported to the European Union.