Kenya Mango Season: An Importer's Guide to Apple & Kent

Kenya's main mango export season runs from about October to March, with peak volumes from November to January, and a smaller coastal crop from April to June. Apple mango dominates the early and peak months, while Kent mangoes arrive later, typically from late January to March. Importers who plan orders around these windows get the best fruit, steadier supply and fewer surprises on price.

Kenya's season also falls at a different time of year from India's, the world's largest producer, which is why Kenyan mangoes fill a gap in many import markets. This guide explains when each variety is available, how mangoes are packed and shipped, and what to agree with your supplier before the first shipment.

When is mango season in Kenya?

The high season is October to March, and a shorter season from April to June comes mainly from the coastal region. Exact timing shifts by a few weeks each year with rainfall and altitude, so confirm the current crop with your exporter before you lock in shipping dates.

Industry reports from Tridge describe the October–March high season and the April–June coastal season, and earlier season reports note that Kent becomes available for export around late January.

Which Kenyan mango varieties are exported?

Kenya's four main commercial varieties are Apple, Ngowe, Kent and Keitt, and Apple and Kent are the two most requested by export buyers. Kenya grows dozens of varieties, but only a handful are farmed commercially.

• Apple mango. Kenya's signature export: round, sweet, juicy and aromatic, with a red-to-yellow blush when ripe. It makes up the large majority of production. Industry estimates put it at around 95% of the national crop. It is popular in the Middle East and with African and Asian diaspora markets. See our Apple mango supply page.
• Kent mango. A large, low-fibre fruit with a green skin and red blush that ships and ripens well. European buyers generally prefer Kent over Apple, as Kenya's fresh produce industry has noted. See our Kent mango supply page.
• Ngowe. A long, slender local variety with high juice content, sold mostly to regional and processing markets.
• Keitt. A late-season variety that extends supply after Kent.

Where do Kenyan export mangoes come from?

Most export mangoes come from the Coast (Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu) and Eastern Kenya (Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi). Coastal orchards mature earlier and also supply the April–June crop, while higher-altitude eastern orchards harvest later. Sourcing from more than one region is one way an exporter extends your supply window and reduces weather risk.

How are Kenyan mangoes packed and shipped?

Export mangoes are usually packed in 4 kg cartons graded by count (commonly sizes 8 to 12 fruits per box) and shipped by air for speed or by sea in refrigerated (reefer) containers for volume.

Apple mango has a shelf life of roughly 7 to 14 days depending on maturity and storage, so the cold chain matters from orchard to airport. Fruit should be pre-cooled after packing and kept at a steady temperature throughout transit. Our cold chain guide for fresh produce exports explains each step.

What documents and certifications should you ask for?

Every Kenyan mango shipment needs a KEPHIS phytosanitary certificate, and serious exporters can show GlobalG.A.P. certification for their source farms and a valid horticultural export licence.

• Phytosanitary certificate issued by KEPHIS, confirming the fruit meets your country's plant health rules. Mangoes are closely checked for fruit fly, so ask how the orchards manage it. See KEPHIS and phytosanitary export documents.
• GlobalG.A.P. (or equivalent) certification for supplying farms, which most European and many Middle Eastern retailers require.
• Horticultural Crops Directorate export licence for the exporter.
• Certificate of origin, commercial invoice and packing list for customs.
• Residue (MRL) test results if your market or retail buyer requests them.

Import rules differ by destination. The European Union applies some of the strictest plant health checks, so confirm requirements with your importer or customs broker before the first order.

How should you plan your first mango order?

Agree variety, size grade, ripeness, packaging, volume and shipping mode with your exporter at least 2–4 weeks before you need the fruit, and start with a trial shipment.

1. Choose the variety for your market. Apple for Middle Eastern and diaspora buyers, Kent for Europe and buyers who want low fibre.
2. Specify size and count (for example size 10 in 4 kg boxes) and the ripeness stage on arrival.
3. Pick air or sea based on volume, budget and how quickly you sell.
4. Book in the peak window (November–January for Apple, February–March for Kent) for the best quality and availability.
5. Send a trial order first to check quality, packing and transit before committing to regular volumes.
6. Agree Incoterms and payment terms in writing (for example FOB Mombasa or CIF your port).

Source Kenyan mangoes this season

Zavora Fresh Exports sources Apple and Kent mangoes from Kenyan growers for importers, wholesalers, supermarkets and hotels in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa. Tell us your variety, volume, size grade and destination, and we will confirm what is available in the current season. Request a quote or message us on WhatsApp to plan your shipment.