February 05, 2026
The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) this week hosted representatives from Joy Wing Mau Group, a leading Chinese fresh produce enterprise, as part of the ongoing Kenya-China Avocado Trade Assessment. The project, a collaboration between KEPHIS and Strathmore Agri-Food Innovation Center (SAFIC), is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The visit, led by KEPHIS Managing Director Professor Theophillus Mutui, included policy and regulatory discussions aimed at deepening Kenya’s avocado trade links with China. The Chinese delegation was accompanied by Professor Simon Wagura and Madam Elsie Kangai from Strathmore University.
Joy Wing Mau Group operates an extensive omni-channel distribution network, reaching over 20 million customers through 10,000 supermarkets and five major e-commerce platforms, and serves approximately 5 million avocado consumers across China’s Tier 1 cities.
During the engagement, KEPHIS officials, including Mr. Eric Were and Ms. Dorcas Mugambi, led discussions on key aspects of avocado exports to China, including phytosanitary and inspection requirements, export certification procedures, and compliance standards. The talks also addressed regulatory and operational barriers in the China-Kenya avocado trade, institutional capacity gaps, and potential policy and technical recommendations to facilitate market expansion.
The Kenya-China Avocado Trade Assessment seeks to generate evidence-based insights that will strengthen phytosanitary compliance systems and support increased Kenyan avocado exports to China, a market with growing demand for high-quality produce.
Professor Mutui emphasized the importance of aligning Kenya’s regulatory systems with international standards to ensure the country’s horticultural products remain competitive in global markets.
This visit marks a significant step toward enhancing Kenya’s avocado export capacity, with the potential to boost farmers’ earnings and strengthen trade relations between Kenya and China.
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| How big is the Chinese avocado market? The Chinese avocado market is a rapidly expanding, high-growth sector valued between USD 683 million and over USD 800 million in 2024, expected to surpass USD 1.6 billion by 2033. What is Kenya’s current avocado export percentage? With a total production estimated at roughly 562,000 metric tons (TMT) as of 2024, and export volumes estimated at around 128,000 tons, the export share sits at roughly 22-23%. What does this KEPHIS meeting mean for Kenyan growers? Advances in compliance and trade with China. Boosts exports, earnings, and ties. Why is phytosanitary compliance critical for Kenyan avocado exports? Strong phytosanitary systems ensure compliance with international standards, protect market access, and maintain Kenya’s competitiveness in global horticultural trade. Who is Joy Wing Mau Group and why are they important to Kenya’s avocado exports? Joy Wing Mau Group is a leading Chinese fresh produce company with access to over 20 million customers through supermarkets and e-commerce platforms, serving around 5 million avocado consumers in China’s Tier 1 cities. About KEPHIS: The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) is the national authority responsible for plant health regulation, phytosanitary inspection, and export certification. It ensures Kenyan agricultural products meet international standards, safeguards market access, and leads technical engagement with importing countries. |