Kenya’s avocado sector has a compelling opportunity and a persistent bottleneck. The country produces more than half a million tons of avocados annually, yet around 80% of that crop is grown by smallholder farmers with limited access to refrigeration. Without a reliable cold chain, significant volumes spoil before reaching export markets, leaving income on the table for farmers and value unrealised across the supply chain.
SokoFresh, a venture in Enviu’s agrifood portfolio, is tackling this directly. Operating a network of more than 32 solar-powered cold-storage facilities across Kenya, SokoFresh is extending avocado shelf life to up to three weeks post-arrival abroad, compared with roughly one week without refrigeration. The commercial impact for farmers is real and measurable: post-harvest losses down by up to 40%, yields up by more than 20%, and export-grade prices reaching up to 120 shillings per kilogram, nearly double what farmers without cold chain access typically receive.
Bloomberg has taken note. A new feature examines how SokoFresh’s model is reshaping the economics of smallholder avocado farming and positioning Kenya’s fresh produce sector for more reliable access to European and international markets.
With a pre-series raise of $1.5 million currently underway and a Series A of $10 million or more targeted for 2027, SokoFresh is building the infrastructure for the next stage of growth.
Read the full Bloomberg feature here.
