The Green Gold Rush: Kenya Overhauls Port Logistics for Avocado Peak Season

Kenya, January 29 , 2026 - Kenya is intensifying efforts to improve port efficiency, with the upcoming avocado harvesting season emerging as a key focus. The move is aimed at safeguarding the quality of the highly perishable export while strengthening the country’s position in global fresh produce markets.

Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui said efficient port operations are a critical enabler of trade and industrial growth, noting that more than 80 per cent of Kenya’s exports and imports are transported by sea. He added that improving efficiency and managing operational costs at the ports of Mombasa and Lamu would give Kenya a stronger competitive edge both regionally and internationally.

“Increasing vessel turnaround time is especially critical as we head into the avocado harvesting season,” Kinyanjui said. “Avocados are a perishable commodity and one of the priority products we are keen to scale up for export, making speed and reliability at the ports essential.”

Kenya’s avocado exports have grown steadily in recent years, driven by rising demand in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. However, delays at ports risk compromising product quality, leading to losses for exporters and farmers, and undermining confidence in Kenya as a reliable supplier.

To address these challenges, the Cabinet Secretary said the ministry had convened a high-level meeting with Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Capt. William K. Ruto, together with representatives from the Kenya Ship Agents Association and the Kenya Revenue Authority. The meeting focused on identifying operational bottlenecks contributing to congestion at the Port of Mombasa and exploring practical measures to improve cargo flow and reduce delays.