How Avocado Export Works: A Step-by-Step Journey from Farm to Destination

Welcome to Kanga Fruits’ comprehensive guide on how we export our premium avocados from Kenya to markets around the world. Here, we’ll take you through each stage of the journey, from our farms in Central Kenya and the Central Rift Valley to the ports of Europe and the UAE.

Step 1: Cultivation and Harvesting

1.1 Farm Selection and Preparation

• Location: Our avocados are grown in the fertile soils of Central Kenya and the Central Rift Valley, areas known for their ideal climate and rich soils.
• Soil Preparation: Before planting, we analyze soil samples to ensure it has the right pH and nutrient levels. We amend the soil with organic matter to enhance fertility.
• Sustainable Practices: We use sustainable agricultural practices such as crop rotation, organic fertilizers, and integrated pest management to maintain soil health and productivity.

1.2 Planting and Growth

• Seedling Selection: We choose high-quality, disease-resistant avocado seedlings for planting.
• Planting: Seedlings are planted in well-prepared soil with adequate spacing to ensure optimal growth and air circulation.
• Care and Maintenance: Our farmers provide regular care, including watering, mulching, and fertilizing. They also monitor the trees for signs of disease or pests.

1.3 Harvesting

• Ripeness Check: Avocados are handpicked at the peak of ripeness. We use maturity indices such as skin color and firmness to determine the right time for harvesting.
• Careful Handling: Harvesters use special tools to cut the avocados from the tree, minimizing bruising and damage. Fruits are collected in padded baskets to prevent bruising.
• Transport to Collection Points: Harvested avocados are transported in crates to local collection points for initial sorting.

Step 2: Collection and Initial Sorting

2.1 Collection Points

• Transportation: Farmers transport the harvested avocados to designated collection points located near the farms.
• Initial Inspection: At the collection points, avocados undergo an initial inspection to remove any damaged or overripe fruits.

2.2 Sorting and Grading

• Manual Sorting: Workers manually sort avocados based on size, color, and quality. Any fruits that do not meet our standards are set aside.
• Grading: Avocados are graded into different categories based on size and appearance. This ensures uniformity and consistency in our exports.
• Packing for Transport: Graded avocados are packed into sturdy crates and transported to the pack house for further processing.

Step 3: Pack House Processing

3.1 Transportation to Pack House

• Safe Transport: Avocados are transported in climate-controlled trucks to our pack house facilities to maintain freshness.

3.2 Washing and Sanitization

• Cleaning Process: Upon arrival, avocados are thoroughly washed to remove any dirt and residues.
• Sanitization: Avocados are sanitized using food-safe disinfectants to ensure they meet international food safety standards.

3.3 Grading and Packing

• Quality Control: Trained staff conduct a final quality check, inspecting each avocado for any defects.
• Automated Grading: We use automated grading machines to sort avocados by size and weight, ensuring precision and efficiency.
• Packing: Avocados are packed into export-grade cartons, which are labeled with detailed information including origin, grade, and packing date.
• Temperature Control: Packed cartons are placed in cold storage to maintain the optimal temperature and extend the shelf life of the avocados.

Step 4: Shipping Preparation

4.1 Cold Storage

• Temperature Management: Our cold storage facilities maintain a consistent temperature to keep the avocados fresh. We monitor temperature and humidity levels to ensure they remain within the optimal range.

4.2 Documentation and Inspection

• Export Documentation: We prepare all necessary export documentation, including phytosanitary certificates, certificates of origin, and shipping permits.
• Government Inspection: Government inspectors visit our pack house to conduct final inspections and verify that the avocados meet export standards.
• Sealing Containers: Once inspected and approved, avocados are loaded into refrigerated shipping containers, which are then sealed to prevent contamination.

Step 5: Shipping to Destination

5.1 Loading onto Shipping Containers

• Refrigerated Transport: Avocados are loaded into refrigerated containers that maintain a controlled environment throughout the journey.
• Securing Cargo: Containers are securely loaded onto ships at the port, ensuring that the cargo remains stable during transit.

5.2 Sea Freight

• Monitoring Conditions: Throughout the sea journey, containers are continuously monitored to ensure that temperature and humidity levels remain optimal.
• Efficient Routing: We work with reliable shipping lines to ensure timely delivery and minimize transit time.

Step 6: Arrival at Destination Port

6.1 Port of Arrival

• Customs Clearance: Upon arrival at the destination port, containers go through customs clearance where import documentation is verified, and any necessary inspections are conducted.
• Unloading: Containers are carefully unloaded from the ship and transported to local distribution centers.

6.2 Distribution to Markets

• Local Transport: Avocados are transported from the port to local distribution centers using refrigerated trucks to maintain freshness.
• Quality Check: At distribution centers, a final quality check is performed to ensure that the avocados are still in excellent condition.
• Retail Distribution: Avocados are then distributed to supermarkets, retailers, and markets, ready to be enjoyed by consumers.

Conclusion

At Kanga Fruits, we take pride in our meticulous avocado export process, ensuring that every fruit meets the highest standards of quality and freshness. From our farms in Kenya to tables around the world, our avocados embody the dedication and expertise of our farmers, packers, and logistics teams. Enjoy the journey of Kanga Fruits avocados, knowing that each step is carefully managed to deliver the best to you.