Karakuta Powers Prosperity with Avocado Packhouse Launch

Karakuta Fresh Produce has commissioned a state-of-the-art 7,500-tonne capacity packhouse in Nairobi to grade and pack avocados sourced from its 180-acre farm and 1,500 smallholder farmers across Kenya.

The facility was officially unveiled by Equity Group Managing Director and CEO Dr. James Mwangi, alongside Karakuta CEO Grace Ngungi, in a ceremony attended by government officials and international partners.

The packhouse, equipped with an advanced Eshel Eilon machine from Israel and financed by Equity Bank, positions Karakuta among only 52 such facilities in Kenya. It is expected to significantly boost Kenya’s avocado export competitiveness by enhancing quality, consistency, and traceability.

Dr. Mwangi hailed the investment as a transformative move in the agricultural value chain. “This facility demonstrates how vision, leadership, and partnerships can turn dreams into reality,” he said, emphasizing the importance of value addition in agriculture.

He applauded Grace Ngungi as a model of entrepreneurial excellence and proof that women are bankable leaders.Karakuta’s CEO shared her journey from a smallholder farmer to leading one of the country’s fastest-growing avocado exporters.

“I wanted to create a model that empowers farmers while meeting global standards,” said Ngungi.

The company now works with aggregators in Kiambu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, and Meru, building a network of farmers aligned in quality and timing.

Officials from the Horticultural Crops Directorate and Avocado Exporters Association stressed the need for consistency and quality, urging more farmers to join cooperatives to meet market requirements.

From eight containers in its first year to a projected 60 in 2025, Karakuta’s growth is a success story of strategic investment, innovation, and partnership. As Dr. Mwangi stated, “Karakuta is proof that with ambition and support, Kenyan agribusiness can thrive on a global scale.”