The Netherlands is highly dependent on avocado imports to meet local demand. Its moderate maritime climate with cold winters and mild summers is not suitable for growing avocados commercially. The average rainfall is about 900mm per year and the temperatures can be as low as 2°C and as high as 23°C.
A huge volume of avocados sold in the Netherlands is found in supermarkets. The biggest number of consumers in the country is found in the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and the Hague. Smaller retail outlets, wholesale markets and street vendors around the Netherlands also trade in smaller quantities of avocados.
Netherlands Avocado Imports
Imports of avocado in the Netherlands were valued at almost 1.2 billion US Dollars in 2023. It’s an increase of 28% from the previous year, it is the other record high value since 2019. The sharpest climb was from 2015 to 2016 when the import value rose from about 309 million US Dollars to around 479 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in the Netherlands between 2012 and 2023.
Avocado Price in Netherlands per kg
The cost of a kilo of imported avocados in the Netherlands can be between 3 Euros (US3.09 dollars) and 4 Euros (US4.12 dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price has gone as low as 2 Euros (US2.06 dollars) in the recent past.
Just like any fruit, retail prices of one avocado vary depending on the seller. The Dutch 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 the Netherlands 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. The Netherlands imports a bulk of avocado during its summer months from June up to September. It brings in small amounts of avocado the rest of the year from countries whose season comes later.
Avocado in Netherlands
The Netherlands 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 the Netherlands prefer Hass avocados that are small in size because of their lower cost.
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 the Netherlands are packed in both 4kg and 10kg cartons.
Avocado imports have to first go through the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). The government of the Netherlands sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.
Cartons of avocado must be labeled according to guidelines determined by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Bilingual language, which includes Dutch, 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 the Netherlands must undergo the pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) tests done by government laboratories. They should not exceed acceptable limits according to Codex, EU. NVWA is responsible for the control of pesticides residue on avocado imports.