The biggest domestic market for avocados in Egypt is the El Obour wholesale market, about 35 km north east of Cairo. Avocados are also sold in the other wholesale markets, supermarkets and informal markets like fruit vendors and green groceries around Egypt. Since the avocado is a seasonal fruit, its prices are determined by supply.
The avocado market in Egypt has been growing at a fast pace since 2010. It hit a record high in 2020 mainly because of the rising urban population. Since they have a higher disposable income than those living in rural areas, avocado consumption in Egypt will see steady growth in the years to come.
Imports of avocado in Egypt were valued at nearly 8 million US Dollars in 2021. Compared to the previous year, it is an increase of 77%. The sharpest climb was from 2013 to 2014 when the import value rose from about 400,000 US Dollars to around 1 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in Egypt between 2012 and 2021.
Egypt imported avocados from Kenya worth 5 million US Dollars in 2021, accounting for 62% of the total imports. In the same year, Egypt brought in avocados valued at 2 million US Dollars from its second major supplier, Lebanon, accounting for 23% of the total imports. The average import price in 2021 was about 3 US Dollars per kilo.
Avocado Price per kg in Egypt
The average price of a kilo of avocados in Egypt, when they are in abundant supply, is between 35 Egyptian pounds and 40 Egyptian pounds. This is the wholesale price in the largest markets around Cairo, located in El Obour and 6th of October cities. When there is limited supply, the average price can range between 50 Egyptian pounds and 60 Egyptian pounds per kg.
Egypt imports huge quantities of avocado from Kenya in the months of March and April because of Ramadan. Avocado prices significantly drop during this time of the year due to their availability. The government of Egypt closely monitors the prices through the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce (FEDCOC)
Avocado Egypt
Egypt has gradually become a high-value avocado importer. The country takes in commercial varieties such as Hass and Fuerte from Kenya. But it also brings in low-priced, non-commercial green skin varieties mostly from Lebanon. Even though many avocado consumers in Egypt still prefer green skin varieties, the dark skin Hass avocado is slowly increasing its market share.
Avocados imported in Egypt are mostly packed in 4kg cartons but there are a few packed in 10kg cartons. The type, quality and size of avocados determines its price. Green skin types are bought by consumers with both high and low incomes as they cost less than the Hass variety.
The logistical costs associated with importing avocados are a major factor in setting their prices. Traders in wholesale markets make the highest profit margins. The profit margins go lower when informal traders like fruit vendors also sell avocados.
Unlike in the past, avocados are now a typical retail product in Egypt. The strong desire among the urban population for convenient healthy eating has made ready-to-eat avocados are very popular. Avocados that are small in size are still sold in the local markets so as to be processed into salads or juice. Such kind of avocados are usually part of the trade and make up a small part of the regular shipments.
With the availability of avocados, Egyptians are finding new ways of enjoying them with their traditional meals. Avocados are mixed with a dip called dukkah and spread on toast. They are also served with a popular street food called koshary.