Thirty-four “super achievers” in Kenya’s avocado industry were honoured at the 2024 Kenya Avocado Excellence Awards (KAEA) in Nairobi on 5 December, with Large Scale Grower of the Year awarded to agribusiness Kakuzi Plc for their orchards in Murang’a.
Hosted by the Avocado Society of Kenya, the awards recognise outstanding individuals and organisations that drive growth and innovation in avocado industry. Kenya is the leading avocado-producing country in Africa.
Kakuzi managing director Chris Flowers said: “We take pride in contributing to Kenya’s avocado industry and supporting local farmers through training and innovation. Our integrated, traceable value chain demonstrates the highest standards from seedling to plate, showcasing Kenyan avocados on the global stage.”
Kakuzi’s has built its success on sustainable practices and has a strong focus on quality control. In the last five years, the company has increased avocado production by 24%, with orchards now spanning over 987ha. Kakuzi produced over 14 140t of avocados in 2023, serving local and export markets. A development project underway will see avocados span 1 200ha in Murang’a upon completion.
Beyond large-scale production, Kakuzi supports the industry by offering local and small-scale growers technical extension services and free maturity testing.
In other awards, the Avocado Person of the Year was awarded to Stephen Githaiga from The Fresh Products, and Charles Mwangi from Muranga won the Small-Scale Grower (less than 10 acres).
Daniel Sipoliko from Isinya Avocado Nurseries won the Avocado Agronomist of the Year and Nirmal Chaudhary from Shri Krishana Overseas Ltd won the Outstanding Women Award.
- Growers – Large Scale Orchards (more than 100 acres): Kakuzi Plc, Murang’a
- Growers – Small Scale (less than 10 acres): Charles Mwangi, Muranga
- Growers – Nursery Seedlings: Isinya Avocado Nurseries, Kajiado
- Avocado Person Of The Year 2024: Stephen Githaiga, The Fresh Products
- Outstanding Women Award: Nirmal Chaudhary, Shri Krishana Overseas Ltd
- Avocado Agronomist of the Year: Daniel Sipoliko, Isinya Avocado Nurseries
- Organic Avocado Exporter: The Fresh Products Ltd
- Oil Processing: Avoil Industries Ltd
- Biological Products: Elephant Vert East Africa
- Packaging Containers: Silafrica Limited
- Packaging Cartons: Shri Krishana Overseas Ltd
- Shipping Lines: Cma Cgm (K) Ltd
- Machinery Oil Processing: Ameduni Nicola S.P.A
- Small Scale Exporter (less than 100 containers): Kenya Fresh Produce Exporters Ltd
- Large Scale Exporter(more than 200 containers): Keitt Exporters Ltd
