Africa avocado exporters 2026

Africa’s avocado boom is no longer a niche agricultural story; it is a high-growth export revolution reshaping rural economies from the Atlas Mountains to the Great Rift Valley.

As global demand for Hass avocados surges across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, African producers are scaling rapidly, capturing market share from Latin American heavyweights while building billion-dollar supply chains of their own.

In 2025, Morocco emerged as Africa’s largest avocado exporter by volume, overtaking Kenya, long the continent’s dominant force.

South Africa continues to command premium pricing thanks to quality and established trade corridors, while Tanzania, Ethiopia and Uganda are expanding acreage at a record pace. Smaller but ambitious producers like Rwanda and Malawi are leveraging smallholder models to integrate into global value chains.

The sector now represents one of Africa’s most dynamic non-oil export categories, generating hundreds of millions of dollars annually, supporting tens of thousands of farmers, and attracting fresh investment in cold-chain logistics, irrigation and certification systems.

With rising global demand, expanded cultivation and growing logistics sophistication, Africa’s avocado exporters are positioned to deepen their presence in global markets. The next phase will hinge on sustainability, climate resilience and strategic trade diversification, factors that will determine which countries dominate the continent’s green gold race.

Shore Africa chronicles 10 of Africa’s biggest avocado exporters redefining the continent’s agricultural export landscape.

1. Morocco
Africa’s top exporter in 2025, Morocco, shipped 141,000 tons valued at $211 million. A decade of rapid orchard expansion and strong EU trade ties have powered a near 50 percent annual export value growth rate since 2013. Strategic irrigation investments and proximity to European markets give Morocco a competitive edge despite mounting water stress.

2. Kenya
Long the continental leader, Kenya exported 105,000 tons worth $197 million in 2025. Avocados remain a critical income source for smallholder farmers. Though Red Sea shipping disruptions and logistics constraints slowed momentum, Kenya maintains strong EU market dominance and continues upgrading packhouses and compliance systems.

3. South Africa
South Africa shipped 85,000 tons valued at $205 million. Known for premium Hass quality, it commands strong pricing across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Advanced farming practices and export infrastructure support resilience, though climate variability and water management remain key strategic challenges.

4. Tanzania
Tanzania exported 35,000 tons in 2024, benefiting from rising global demand and expanding cultivation zones. Infrastructure bottlenecks and pricing pressures persist, but improved logistics and foreign investment are gradually strengthening its competitiveness in European and Middle Eastern markets.

5. Ethiopia
Ethiopia is an emerging high-growth exporter leveraging fertile highlands and increasing agribusiness investment. While volumes trail continental leaders, production expansion and a growing focus on organic and sustainable certification position the country for rapid export gains over the next five years.

6. Malawi
Malawi’s avocado exports remain modest but consistently rising. Government-backed support for smallholder farmers and export diversification strategies is helping integrate growers into global supply chains. The sector offers a crucial foreign exchange stream for the landlocked Southern African nation.

7. Cameroon
Cameroon is steadily expanding exports, driven largely by small-scale producers and regional trade. With improved post-harvest handling and stronger export coordination, the country is positioning itself to scale beyond regional markets into higher-value European destinations.

8. Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is rebuilding its horticulture export base, with avocados emerging as a promising growth segment. Expansion of commercial orchards and renewed investor interest are helping boost Southern Africa’s collective export footprint.

9. Uganda
Uganda’s avocado industry is expanding through sustainable farming initiatives and private-sector partnerships. Investments in certification and export logistics are strengthening its foothold in EU markets, while smallholder participation remains central to growth.

10. Rwanda
A newcomer in large-scale avocado exports, Rwanda is targeting international markets through structured aggregation models and government-backed agricultural reforms. Though volumes remain small, rapid production growth signals long-term export potential.