Fresh produce trade, export market expansion and value-chain financing took centre stage at the 6th International Africa Avocado Congress, which brought together more than 6,000 stakeholders in Nairobi to explore opportunities shaping one of Kenya’s fastest-growing agricultural export sectors.
Co-operative Bank of Kenya participated in the four-day congress hosted by the Avocado Society of Kenya (ASOK) at the Sarit Expo Centre, joining growers, exporters, logistics firms, agricultural specialists and international buyers in discussions centred on strengthening the avocado value chain and unlocking commercial opportunities across regional and international markets.
Held under the theme "Innovation, Efficiency, and Sustainability," the congress reflected the growing economic importance of avocados to Kenya's agricultural export portfolio at a time when national production has surpassed 585,000 tonnes, reinforcing the country's position among the world's leading exporters of the fruit.
The event also provided a platform for financial institutions, agribusiness firms and industry associations to engage with producers on challenges and opportunities emerging across the sector.
Co-op Bank said its participation focused on discussions around the role of stakeholders in supporting the avocado value chain, expanding business opportunities within Africa and overseas markets, and examining changing trends in the global fresh produce industry.
The conversations brought together actors from across the agricultural ecosystem, from production and processing to logistics, certification and export market access.
The congress featured exhibitions by global logistics companies and agricultural organisations showcasing developments in cold-chain transportation, processing technologies and farm inputs designed to improve efficiency across the supply chain.
Industry experts also led technical sessions covering agronomic management, international food safety requirements, post-harvest handling and strategies for expanding access to premium markets in Europe and Asia.
For financial institutions such as Kenya’s Co-operative Bank, engagement with the avocado industry comes as agricultural value chains increasingly seek structured financing solutions to support production, aggregation, processing and export activities.
The sector has emerged as a key contributor to rural incomes and foreign exchange earnings, creating opportunities for lenders to support businesses operating across different stages of the supply chain.
The event concluded with field visits to certified nurseries and modern packing facilities, giving participants practical insights into production and export systems that are helping position Kenya as a major player in the global avocado trade.
Through its participation, the bank joined wider industry discussions on how collaboration among growers, exporters, financiers and technical experts can support the continued development of the avocado sector and strengthen its competitiveness in international markets.
