The United Arab Emirates (UAE) features a desert climate with cool winters and hot, sunny summers. The rains are rare with an average rainfall of below 100mm per annum. Temperatures range from 24°C to 26°C in the mild winters and 38°C to 42°C in the hot summers. This is the biggest reason why the country can’t grow its own avocados making it a net importer.
Majority of the avocados sold in UAE are found in fruits and vegetables markets. The biggest domestic market in the country is the Central Fruit and Vegetable Market in Dubai. It is divided into two sections, one section has retail stores for regular customers while the other is primarily for wholesalers and suppliers. Supermarkets and informal traders like fruit vendors and green groceries around UAE also trade in smaller volumes of avocado.
UAE Avocado Imports
Imports of avocado in UAE were valued at around 69 million US Dollars in 2023. Compared to the previous year, it is an increase of 13%. The sharpest climb was from 2012 to 2013 when the import value rose from about 12 million US Dollars to around 17 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in UAE between 2012 and 2023.
Avocado Price UAE per kg
The cost of a kilo of imported avocados in UAE can be between AED8 (US2.18 dollars) and AED9 (US2.45 dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price can go as low as AED6.80 (US1.85 dollars).
Retail prices of avocado per piece vary among different sellers. A kilo of avocados can cost from AED10-AED25 by some retailers. Market timing also determines the price range as late season avocados get a premium over early season avocados. The logistical costs associated with importing avocados are a major factor in setting their retail prices.
Being a seasonal fruit, avocado prices are adjusted based on supply. UAE imports huge volumes of avocado in March up to September when they are in season. It brings in small volumes of avocado the rest of the year from avocado producing countries outside Africa.
Avocado UAE
UAE is gradually becoming a high-value avocado market. The country takes in commercial varieties such as Hass and Fuerte. But it also brings in non-commercial green skin varieties. Many avocado consumers in UAE prefer green skin types of avocado because of their lower price and large size.
The type, quality and size of avocado determines its selling price. Even though the dark skin Hass avocado costs more, it is gaining in market share little by little. This is especially true among consumers living in the urban areas of UAE as they have a higher disposable income than those living in rural areas. Avocados exported to UAE are packed in both 4kg and 10kg cartons.
How to Make More Profit Importing Avocados in UAE
The avocado import business in UAE is profitable when logistical costs are reduced. Avocados from Kenya take a shorter transit time than those from other countries that supply to UAE.
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. Our avocados are organically grown in the most ideal climatic conditions in Kenya.
We source avocados from our company farms and partner farms. Our partner farmers are proud and happy working with us.
Our avocados are cultivated with uncompromising dedication to excellence and freshness. We guarantee optimum maturity of avocados.
We give competitive pricing to our customers.
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 in 4kg cartons for both air and sea freights. We use dry wooden pallets to pack the cartons. Each pallet for sea freight takes 276 cartons while each pallet for air freight takes 144 cartons.
All of our avocado packing is approved by FDA and is certified by HACCP Quality Assurance.
The avocados in our pack house go through accurate machine selection. The avocados are classified according to dry meter, size, colour and external skin defects.
After packing, we pre-cool our avocados to 5°C in our cold rooms. This reduces field heat immediately after packing.
This process conserves the weight of our avocados preventing them from softening, water loss and wilting. Long shelf life is guaranteed because our avocados stay fresh throughout the supply chain. Our customers are happy because of the high quality of avocado we deliver.
The pre-cooling process is in preparation for shipping. We maintain the cold temperatures and achieve consistent preservation by loading close to the cold rooms.
Our trained staff properly seal the refrigerated containers. Our quality assurance team then confirms before the containers leave the pack house. The avocados are now ready for export.
We ship in controlled atmosphere (CA) refrigerated containers (reefer.)
By working directly with avocado growers and cooperatives, we are able to deliver our produce within a short lead time. We believe that growers grow and exporters export. That is how our growers are able to do what they do best and in return we guarantee superior, quality produce.
Avocado imports have to first go through the UAE Federal Customs Authority (FCA). They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the UAE National Food Safety Committee (NFSC). The government of UAE sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).
Cartons of avocado must be labeled according to guidelines determined by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MOIAT). Arabic language is required on the label. Labels must include the following information:
- Name and address of producer
- Brand or trademark
- Country of origin
- Type of avocado and grade
- Storage instructions and temperature requirements
- Gross weight and number of avocados per carton
- Shelf life
- Harvest year and packing date
Avocados imported in UAE must undergo the pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) tests done by government laboratories. They should not exceed acceptable limits according to Codex and EU. MOCCAE is responsible for the control of pesticides residue on avocado imports.