Michael Olunga, the Kenyan international football player, recently expressed his shock at the high retail price of Kenyan avocados in a Qatari shop.
The shop was selling a single avocado for Ksh.580, which is approximately $5.4 USD. This price is more than ten times higher than the average price of an avocado in Kenya.
Olunga, who currently plays for Al-Duhail Sports Club in Qatar, took to his social media accounts to express his surprise and disappointment. In his posts, he called on the Kenyan government to address the issue and find ways to make the export of avocados more affordable for the average Kenyan farmer.
Avocado farming has become a lucrative business in Kenya in recent years, with the country ranking among the top ten avocado producers globally. The industry has attracted many small-scale farmers, who rely on it as a source of income. However, high production costs, low yields, and limited access to markets have made it difficult for farmers to make a profit from their avocado crops.
To address these challenges, the Kenyan government has been promoting the export of avocados as a way of boosting the country’s economy and creating employment opportunities for its citizens. The government has been negotiating trade agreements with other countries, including Qatar, to increase the demand for Kenyan avocados in foreign markets.
While these efforts have yielded some positive results, the high retail price of Kenyan avocados in foreign markets has raised concerns among farmers and consumers alike. Many Kenyans feel that their avocados are being sold at unfairly high prices, while farmers are being paid peanuts , making it difficult for them to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Michael Olunga’s shock at the high retail price of Kenyan avocados in a Qatari shop highlights the need for more effective measures to promote fair trade and support small-scale farmers in Kenya.
While the export of avocados has great potential to boost the country’s economy, it is crucial to ensure that farmers are able to reap the benefits of their hard work and investment.
