First avocado consignment gets to India
India has expressed readiness to review tariffs on Kenya avocado exports, High Commissioner to Kenya Namgya Khampa has said.
The envoy they have received petitions from Kenya on the tariff on her avocado exports. “Kenya is one of our key trading partners in Africa and therefore we are ready to listen to the appeals for the sake of growing trading among the two countries,” she said.
Kenya’s avocado exports to India are currently charged 30 per cent duty as compared to zero-rated fresh produce from the other East African Community (EAC) states.
Globally, Kenya is categorised as a developing nation while EAC partners are classified as Least Developing Nations (LDC) giving them an opportunity to access most of the international market segments duty free.
Khampa made the remarks during the inaugural avocado shipment of 400 kilogrammes to India at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The fruits were shipped by three companies – Mt Elgon Orchards, Kitt and Kakuzi Limited. Total trade between Kenya and India, she confirmed has grown to $3 billion (Sh441 billion) over the years though it still remains in favour of India.
The Indian government last month approved Kenya’s request to export avocados after notifying the World Trade Organisation (WTO), a new move expected to boost Kenya’s plan to expand her share in the international market. The Avocado Society of Kenya (ASOK) chief executive Ernst Muthomi welcomed the Indian government’s decision to review the export tax, saying it will make fruits from Kenya more competitive in that market.
The first shipment of the export of avocado fruit to India has already arrived at Mumbasi. Agriculture Principal Secretary Kello Harsama who flagged off the 400 kilogramme inaugural avocado shipment said Kenya will benefit from the lucrative 1.4 billion people market.
“Negotiations that started years back have yielded fruits and therefore local farmers will benefit adequately. As a government we will ensure fruits destined to various markets have met the export market conditions,” he said.
