By: Jayden Bagshaw
African avocado exports recorded strong growth in 2025, with total shipments reaching 430,432 tonnes, according to preliminary data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Tropical Fruits Market Review published on Wednesday, 28 January. This represents a 16.7% increase compared with 368,845 tonnes in 2024, underscoring the continent’s growing role in global avocado supply.
However, export performance varied significantly across producing countries. Morocco, Kenya and South Africa together accounted for more than 75% of Africa’s total avocado exports, although their individual trajectories diverged sharply during the year.
Morocco Takes the Lead
Morocco emerged as Africa’s largest avocado exporter in 2025, overtaking Kenya and South Africa for the first time. The country increased shipments by 90% year on year to an estimated 141,000 tonnes, driven by favourable production conditions and sustained investment in the sector.
According to the FAO, improved weather patterns supported higher yields across key growing regions during the 2024–2025 season. In May 2025, the Moroccan Avocado Association reported that favourable climatic conditions had significantly boosted output.
Export growth also reflected longer-term structural expansion. FAO data, citing figures from Morocco’s Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, showed a 40% expansion in harvested avocado area between 2022 and 2024, alongside a 17% increase in production and a 34% rise in exports over the same period.
Kenya Slips Amid Logistics Disruptions
Kenya, previously Africa’s leading avocado exporter, fell to second place in 2025 after exports declined by 19% year on year to an estimated 105,164 tonnes.
The FAO attributed the decline largely to logistics disruptions linked to instability in the Red Sea, a critical shipping corridor for Kenyan avocado exports to Europe. As security risks escalated, shipping companies increasingly avoided the Suez Canal, resulting in longer transit routes.
“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,” FAO noted, highlighting the growing vulnerability of fresh produce exporters to global shipping disruptions.
South Africa Also Impacted
South Africa, the continent’s third-largest avocado exporter, faced similar logistical headwinds. Exports declined by 6% year on year to 80,423 tonnes in 2025, according to FAO estimates. As with Kenya, extended shipping routes and higher freight costs linked to Red Sea disruptions weighed on export competitiveness.
Global Context
Africa’s export growth occurred alongside a broader expansion in global avocado trade. The FAO estimated that worldwide avocado exports increased by 13% in 2025, reaching approximately 3.3 million tonnes, driven by rising demand in Europe, North America and parts of Asia.
Outlook
While Africa’s avocado sector continues to expand, the 2025 data highlights the growing importance of logistics resilience, diversified shipping routes and market access strategies. Countries with favourable production conditions and efficient export infrastructure — such as Morocco — are increasingly well positioned to capitalise on global demand, while others remain exposed to external supply chain shocks.