Tag: Avocado

Kakuzi’s parent company issues US$6.3m worth of settlements following alleged human rights abuse

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KENYA – The Brirtish owner of the vast Kenyan plantation company, Kakuzi Limited has undertaken financial compensation to the 85 victims of alleged rape and violence perpetrated by Kakuzi’s employees. According to the parent company Camellia Plc, it has paid £4.6m (US$6.3m) in relation to the Kenyan case, alongside £2.3m (US$3.1m) issued to similar allegations brought against its Malawian subsidiary, Eastern Produce Malawi (EPM). The settlements in Kenya follows a lawsuit filed on behalf of the victims at London’s High Court by law firm Leigh Day, accusing Camellia Plc for…

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Lidl joins Tesco Supermarkets to cut ties with Kenyan avocado supplier Kakuzi

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KENYA – A second supermarket chain in the United Kingdom, Lidl has suspended avocado supplies from Kakuzi Limited, Kenyan vast plantation company, days after Tesco supermarket did the same. The grocery and food retailer has suspended Kakuzi dealership over claims of human rights abuse to its workers, which were citied by Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper. According to the report, a UK law firm Leigh Day, which is representing scores of alleged victims of rape and violence perpetrated by Kakuzi’s employees, has filed a lawsuit accusing Camellia Plc for turning a…

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Kakuzi’s parent company sued by UK firm for alleged human rights abuse

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KENYA – The Brirtish owner of the vast Kenyan plantation company, Kakuzi Limited has been sued in the UK by law firm Leigh Day, which is representing scores of alleged victims of rape and violence perpetrated by Kakuzi’s employees. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of 79 Kenyans at London’s High Court, accuses Camellia Plc for turning a blind eye to systematic human rights abuse by its subsidiary’s employees for a period of 11 years since 2009, according to Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper. “The attacks are said to have been part…

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California Haas avocado access the Chinese market despite dwindling demand due to COVID-19

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CHINA – As part of the U.S.-China Economic and Trade Agreement (ETA), California-grown Hass avocados received market access to China as from April 26, 2020, revealed a GAIN report by the United States Department of Agriculture. Avocado producers are expected to adhere to the General Administration of Customs China’s (GACC) phytosanitary import requirements and the produce will be allowed into the market if they meet the quarantine requirements. The report has stated that shipments of fresh California Haas avocados may arrive in China by air or sea but only via…

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Tanzania’s avocado export market shoot coupled with rise in volume and price

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TANZANIA – In a span of five years, avocado exports from Tanzania have gained traction with the country fetching US$12 million from 2019 exports attributed to the rise in volume from 1,877 tonnes in 2014 to 9,000 tonnes in 2019 according to data from, the Tanzania Horticultural Association (Taha). Taha’s chief development man-ager, Mr Anthony Chamanga, also revealed that farm-gate prices rose from Sh450 per kilogramme in 2014 to Sh1,500 in 2020. According to a report by The Citizen Tanzania, the improved performance is attributed to the investments undertook by…

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China reduces export duty on Kenya avocados to 7%

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KENYA – Earnings of Kenyan Avocado farmers are set to increase following the slash of export duty levy from 30% to 7% by the Chinese government. According to the Trade Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo, the decision was reached last week following negotiations with the world’s most populous nation, reports Business Daily. However, tough handling conditions that China has placed remain in place. The PS said the two parties are still negotiating on issues of stringent standards. Some firms, however, have already started exporting the commodity to China despite the tough…

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Tradin Organic opens avocado processing facility in Ethiopia

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ETHIOPIA – Tradin Organic, a global front runner in organic ingredients has opened a new Sunvado factory a processing facility for premium organic avocado oil in Ethiopia. The Sunvado factory has completed its first test-runs and is now ramping up its organic avocado oil production. The first products should be ready for export in the coming weeks and with this new project, the company will be able to bring organic virgin avocado oil and organic refined avocado oil to the market by the end of the year. Sunvado was founded…

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Competition grows as South Africa focuses on Chinese US$105m avocado market

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CHINA – The Chinese avocado market has in recent years attracted major African producing countries as they seek to gain a share in the highly valued US$105 million market. Most recently, the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) in South Africa’s said that the country’s avocado industry should focus on tapping into the growing Chinese market to improve its growth prospects. Agbiz, which represents commercial farmers and agribusiness enterprises nationally, said the move will facilitate achieving export-led growth in agriculture an improve performance of the local avocado industry. According to a report…

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Mauritius lifts ban on Kenyan produce, imposes strict conditions

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KENYA – Mauritius has lifted its ban on Kenya’s avocado produce imposed in 2015 but unveiled strict hygienic conditions for the fruit to access Mauritian market. Following the move, Kenyan authorities will have to meet high standards for the exports to commence as the country continues to expand its market for the lucrative produce. Kenya’s avocado produce for export into the country will have to meet specific chemical, storage and transportation conditions as dictated by the Mauritian National Plant Protection Office. This will also include conditions on insect and disease…

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Tanzania avocado producer Africado receives US$2.8m loan from Finnish fund

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TANZANIA – Africado Limited, a Tanzanaian avocado producer, has secured US$2.8 million loan from Finnfund, a Finnish development finance company, to boost production. Africado Chief Executive Officer, James Parsons, said that the funding will enable the company to expand and develop its operations and diversify into other investments. “Finnfund’s funding of Africado has enabled Africado to pursue new investment opportunities. In expanding production areas and with the introduction of new avocado cultivars Africado will have a sustainable business to the economic benefit of the local community in terms of employment…

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