Monday, September 8, 2025 - Nigeria is forging a strategic partnership with Kenya to break into the booming global avocado market, a sector projected to swell to $23.29 billion by 2029. The collaboration aims to empower Nigerian farmers and help the country tap into the lucrative international trade of what’s often called “green gold.” Analysts expect the market to hit $26.710 billion in 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.76 per cent. A new report from RaboResearch showed that the global avocado market is now worth more than $20billion, as increased production and new supply countries continue to drive export growth.
Its main export destinations include the European Union
(Netherlands, France, Spain, the UK, and Germany), the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and
Russia.
The President, Avocado Society of Nigeria (ASN), Ambassador
Adeniyi Sola-Bunmi, told The Nation the partnership with Kenya, a powerhouse in
the global avocado market, was a crucial step as it will empower more farmers
and tap into the lucrative international trade of the “green gold.” The
collaboration aims to address Nigeria’s underdeveloped avocado sector, which
remains largely focused on local consumption despite immense agricultural
potential. Kenya is a powerhouse in the global avocado market.”
While African nations such as Kenya and Morocco are already
reaping billions from this market, Nigeria has largely remained on the
sidelines. Sola-Bunmi indicated that the country’s avocado sector is currently
underdeveloped and focused on local consumption, despite immense agricultural
potential. The goal is to change that narrative.
According to him, Kenya has firmly established itself as
Africa’s leading avocado exporter and the world’s sixth-largest producer. In
2021, Kenya’s avocado output reached 417,000 metric tons, a figure that has
doubled over the last five years.
One of the key challenges facing Nigeria’s avocado sector,
he explained was the misconception that the fruit has a long gestation period
before it can be harvested, which has discouraged large-scale investment.
According to him, Nigeria’s avocado sector is currently dominated by
small-scale farmers who own less than two hectares.
To counter this, the ASN is working with its Kenyan partners
to introduce viable Hass avocado seedlings to Nigeria. The Hass variety is a
game-changer because it can thrive in Nigeria’s tropical climate and reach
maturity in as little as three years, a stark contrast to the longer fruiting
periods of local varieties.
Sola-Bunmi projected that the Hass variety alone has the
potential to generate over N12 billion annually for Nigeria’s economy.
Currently, a growing number of farmers, particularly ASN members, have already
begun cultivating Hass avocados due to their higher price and yields.
His words: “The good news is that Nigeria is now recognized
as an avocado producing country, although at the very bottom level based on the
effort of the Chief Executive of Avocado Society of Nigeria. We are
working on introducing quality seedling for Nigeria’s market. We now have
almost 30 to35 hectares for avocado production in in Nigeria. The
society is working to expand production in partnership with universities. We
are aggregating farmers under the umbrella of the society. Farmers that can
grow five trees, three trees, four trees, which is also the Kenya model. Kenya
model encouraged farmers to start small. It works for Kenya. It can also work
here. If adopted it will be transformational. The major thing is that Nigeria
really to need to understand the nutritional and economic benefit that avocado
provides. We keep doing our sensitization advocacy, training, capacity
building. In a short while we should be among the
Beyond introducing new varieties, he said the ASN is focused
on creating the necessary infrastructure for producing export-grade avocados.
The association, he added, is establishing large commercial Hass avocado farms
for its members across several states, including Imo, Ogun, Abia, Enugu,
Ebonyi, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross Rivers, and Oyo.
He said ASN has also established a demonstration farm in
Ogun State. The farm, he explained, includes an international nursery center in
Abeokuta, will produce seedlings and plants that meet international protocols
and ensure Nigerian avocados meet the stringent quality standards required for
global markets, such as specific fumigation or cold treatments to control
pests.
The recent 5th International Africa Avocado Congress in
Nairobi, Kenya, he disclosed, provided a crucial platform for the ASN to share
knowledge and network with key players in the African avocado industry. He
noted: “This meeting has solidified the partnership with Kenya and set the
stage for Nigeria’s emergence as a major player in the global avocado trade.”
The recent 5th International Africa Avocado Congress in
Nairobi, Kenya, he explained provided a crucial platform for the ASN to share
knowledge and network with key players in the African avocado industry,
solidifying the partnership with Kenya and setting the stage for Nigeria’s
emergence as a major player in the global avocado trade.
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