• African avocado exports rose 16.7% in 2025 to 430,432 tonnes, according to FAO preliminary data.

• Morocco became Africa’s top avocado exporter after shipments surged 90% to 141,000 tonnes.

• Kenya and South Africa recorded export declines due to Red Sea logistics disruptions.

In 2025, African countries placed about 430,432 tonnes of avocados on international markets, according to preliminary results from the FAO’s Tropical Fruits Market Review published on Wednesday, January 28. The volume increased 16.67% from 368,845 tonnes recorded a year earlier.

This growth masked diverging performances among the continent’s main exporters. Kenya, South Africa, and Morocco together accounted for more than 75% of Africa’s annual avocado shipments.

Morocco Emerges as New Leader

According to the FAO, Morocco increased avocado exports by 90% year on year to 141,000 tonnes. This surge allowed the North African country to overtake Kenya and South Africa. Morocco thus became Africa’s leading avocado exporter for the first time.

Improved domestic production drove this performance. In May 2025, the Moroccan Avocado Association (MAVA) said favorable weather conditions supported output across the country’s main growing regions during the 2024–2025 season.

Export success also reflected several years of private-sector investment aimed at expanding production capacity. “Data provided by Morocco’s Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests in April 2025 showed a 40% expansion in harvested areas between 2022 and 2024, alongside a 17% increase in production and a 34% rise in exports,” the report said.

Kenya and South Africa Hit by Logistics Constraints

Kenya, Africa’s long-standing avocado export leader, slipped to second place. The East African country recorded a 19% year-on-year decline in shipments to an estimated 105,164 tonnes.

Logistics bottlenecks linked to the Red Sea crisis drove this drop. The route serves as a key shipping corridor to Europe, Kenya’s main export market.

In 2025, Yemen’s Houthi rebels intensified attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The security risks forced shipping companies to avoid the Suez Canal, the fastest route to Europe. “Export potential was constrained by a near doubling of transit times to Europe due to the Red Sea crisis and the resulting surge in shipping costs,” the report said.

South Africa, which ranked third, also suffered from Red Sea logistics disruptions. The country recorded a 6% year-on-year decline in exports to 80,423 tonnes, according to the FAO.

At a broader level, Africa’s export growth aligned with global trends. The FAO estimated that global avocado exports rose 13% in 2025 to about 3.3 million tonnes.

This article was initially published in French by Stéphanas Assocle

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM