Organic and Conventional Avocados from Kenya

Samsons Foods Limited was found in 2009, the company is registered as a global exporter of a wide range of agricultural produce like fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and flowers. In 2011, the company started operations under the supervision of the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS). Samson’s Limited is a registered as food trade agency with main offices in Nairobi, Kenya and other offices in Nyeri and Kakamega. The company strives to become an industry leader as well as a market-driven organization that is noted for safe, fresh, and high-quality produce. They also have a fully established vegetable freezing line and a wide range of high-quality tropical fruits, packed and processed in their custom-built fruit processing facilities. Their farming practices lay the foundation for the protection of scarce resources by the implementing Good Agricultural Practices which promise a sustainable future. The company has one of the widest networks of farmers in Kenya and enjoy strong links with buying companies in the UK, Germany, Egypt and China.

Samsons Foods Limited packs the produce for export at an audited packaging facility. They are committed to the HACCP system and the BRC Code of practice to ensure that the requirements for exporting safe, and quality products are met and exceeded at all times. The fruit is packed in 4 kg carton boxes or 10 kg carton boxes according to the size. The carton boxes are then stacked in pallets and stored. They have a fully established vegetable freezing line and a wide range of high-quality tropical fruits, packed and processed in their custom-built fruit processing facilities. The company delivers in accordance with customer specifications through reliable and timely delivery.

Samsons Foods Limited sorts and packs the fruits in presence of SGS inspection officials and representative of both parties to ensure quality and safety. Their company is known to stand for quality, freshness and consistency. The company takes pride calling them as one of the best producers and suppliers of quality avocado fruits to the global market. The company has a Global G.A.P and GRASP certification.

Kenya is now Africa’s second-largest avocado growing and exporting country in Africa, after South Africa. Samsons Foods Limited grows hass avocado on the rich soil of Kenyan highlands regions including Muranga County, Nyeri, Meru, Kiambu, Western and Rift-Valley. The fruits are sorted, packed professionally at Mofarm Packhouse, Off Ring Road, Utawala Nairobi and PlanFresh Limited Godowns Thika Kenya. Their farming practices are grounded on the Global Good Agricultural Practices (GlobalGAP). GAP guarantee’s consumer safety, environmental conservation and social welfare. Before planting, the company test's the soils to ensure they have the right ingredients, use certified seeds, and ensure the water which is used is clean and free from harmful heavy metals. The company utilises approved and recommended measures to ensure that their farms should be free of pests and diseases. Other than being involved in the production, the company also works with smallholder farmers through a contract farming model.

Samsons Foods Limited has contracted 30 casual workers who help in picking and field operation mostly during harvesting and 4 permanent employees including the Director, Operations Manager, Admin and Finance Manager and Agronomist. The company's sales turnover has since increased to now an estimated 20 million p.a with quantity projections of 520 metric tons per year.

The Hass avocado variety is the most popular Kenya avocado and is originally from Guatemala. Avocados are healthy nutrient-dense food that can help boost fruit intake. The Hass avocado is one of the most delicious varieties of avocado around, with a rich creamy flesh and superior taste. The variety has dark green bumpy skin that darkens as it ripens, eventually reaching a very dark shade that is almost black. Avocados are a good source of fibre, folate, vitamin K, pantothenic acid and copper and provide good fats.

Samsons Foods Limited offers fresh and whole Hass avocados grown under the equator sun on the lush green slopes of Mt. Kenya. The offer first and second grade of conventional as well as organic avocados in different sizes. The size of the fruit is either between 12-24 or between 26-30. The fruit has a shelf life of 2 weeks post-harvest under controlled and suitable conditions. Avocados can be used for direct consumption or further processing into dips, salads and snacks.