Avocado consumption in Morocco has been going up in the last decade. The demand is so strong that consumers are asking for the fruit even when its out of season. Morocco imports avocados from foreign markets so that they can be available all year round.
Morocco Avocado Imports
Seeing that avocado season in Morocco lasts from October to April, avocado imports flood the domestic market from May to September. In 2021, Morocco shipped in almost 9,800 tons of avocado. It is an increase of 39% from the previous year.
Here is the import volume of avocados in Morocco between 2012 and 2021.
Importing Avocados in Morocco
Here is a step by step guide on how to import avocados in Morocco:
Avocado Supplying Countries to Morocco
Morocco is the only country in Africa with coastal exposure to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This unique geographical location makes it easier to bring avocados into the country from South America and Europe. It is also an attractive target for African countries that produce avocados.
Morocco sources most of its avocados from:
- Peru
- Spain
- Kenya
- South Africa
- Colombia
- Brazil
- Tanzania
It also imports avocado in small quantities from countries like:
- Chile
- Mexico
- Guinea
Morocco brings avocado from abroad mainly through its sea ports and airports. The country’s long coastline makes it possible for avocados to come in as sea freight. Morocco has 27 commercial sea ports for international trade but only three can handle containers. Considering avocados can only be transported in refrigerated containers, the ports used are:
- Tanger Med
- Casablanca
- Agadir
The other way avocados enter Morocco is through its airports. Avocados get into the country as air freight mainly by way of the Mohammed V International Airport. Rabat-Sale Airport and Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport are the alternatives that handle foreign air freight.
How to Know Reliable Avocado Suppliers in Morocco
Avocado importers in Morocco must present the following documents for their shipment to be released by the customs office:
- Import permit
- Customs declaration
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
- Health and phytosanitary Certificate
- Certificate of Origin
- Certificate of Admission issued by Morocco’s National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA)
Sourcing Avocados from Kenya
Here are some advantages Kenya has in supplying avocados to Morocco:
- It has a longer season that lasts from February to October.
- Production costs are low therefore avocados from Kenya are competitively priced.
- Most of Kenya is covered by a sub-tropical climate which ensures consistent avocado production year after year.
Average Transit Time of Importing Avocados in Morocco
| COUNTRY | AIR FREIGHT | SEA FREIGHT |
| Kenya77 | 7 hours 30 minutes | |
| Peru | 11 hours 35 minutes | 28 days |
| South Africa | 9 hours 45 minutes | |
| Colombia | 10 hours | 21 days |
Here is one of the top avocado exporters in Kenya.
Freshela Exporters
Freshela is a Kenyan based company that engages in the sourcing, processing and exporting of avocados and other fresh produce.
Freshela is a proud exporter of Kenyan avocados. We source avocados from our company farm and partner farms.
We give competitive pricing to our customers and guarantee reliable delivery time.
We use a modern grading machine to achieve desired avocado weight. The fruit is also graded to eliminate any with physical quality defects.
We pack avocado fruit for both air and sea freights. All of our avocado packing is approved by FDA and is certified by HACCP Quality Assurance.