Switzerland depends heavily on avocado imports to supply the growing demand. Its moderate continental climate with cold winters and warm summers isn’t suitable for growing avocados. The average rainfall is about 1,000mm per year and temperatures can be as low as 1°C and as high as 20°C.
Majority of avocados sold in Switzerland are in supermarkets. The biggest number of consumers in the country is found in the cities of Zurich, Geneva and Basel. Smaller retail outlets, wholesale centers and street vendors around Switzerland also trade in smaller quantities of avocados.
Switzerland Avocado Imports
Imports of avocado in Switzerland were valued at almost 76 million US Dollars in 2021. Compared to the previous year, it is a slight increase of 8%. The sharpest climb was from 2015 to 2016 when the import value rose from about 32 million US Dollars to around 46 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in Switzerland between 2012 and 2021.
Avocado Price in Switzerland per kg
The cost of a kilo of imported avocados in Switzerland can be between 3 Swiss Francs (US3.13 dollars) and 4 Swiss Francs (US4.17 dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price has gone as low as 2.7 Swiss Francs (US2.81 dollars) in the recent past.
Retail prices of avocado per piece vary from seller to seller. The Swiss can buy imported avocados for most of the year because they are sourced from several nations in different hemispheres. Market timing also determines the price range as late season avocados get a premium over early season avocados.
Avocado consumers in Switzerland can also find either good discounts or higher prices depending on the time of shopping. Being a seasonal fruit, avocado prices are adjusted based on supply. Switzerland imports a bulk of avocado during its summer months from mid-June up to September. It brings in small amounts of avocado the rest of the year from countries whose season comes later.
Avocado in Switzerland
Switzerland can be considered a high-value avocado market. The country takes in major commercial varieties such as Hass and Fuerte. But it also brings in minor commercial green skin varieties. Many avocado consumers in Switzerland prefer Hass avocados that are small in size because of their lower cost.
Consumers can expect to pay more for Hass avocados than the other varieties. Avocados of mixed sizes are sold in the domestic market. Such kind of avocados are usually part of the trade.
The logistical costs that come with importing avocados are a major factor in setting their retail prices. The type, quality and size of avocado is the other factor behind its selling price. Avocados exported to Switzerland are packed in both 4kg and 10kg cartons.
Avocado imports have to first go through the Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Swiss Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO). The government of Switzerland sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Federal Office for Agriculture.
Cartons of avocado must be labeled according to guidelines determined by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. Bilingual language, which includes German and French, 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 Switzerland must undergo the pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) tests done by government laboratories. They should not exceed acceptable limits according to Codex, EU. FSVO is responsible for the control of pesticides residue on avocado imports.