The avocado is becoming a big deal in Turkey. Not only is the fruit being eaten widely but it is also being grown. However, avocado farming in Turkey is done to a limited extent in the Mediterranean coastal belt. In addition, production volume is irregular.
Rising demand for avocado in Turkey is driving growth in imports. Rapid urbanization in the West Asian nation has led to changes in dietary patterns. Likewise, more avocados continue to reach the shores of Turkey. Furthermore, the Turkish people are currently aware of the many ways avocado is good for their health.
Turkey Avocado Imports
In 2023, Turkey shipped in nearly 11,000 tonnes of avocado. It is an increase of 50% from the previous year. The avocado market in Turkey has been dominated by Kenya for six years in a row since the year 2018.
Here is the import volume of avocados from Kenya in Turkey between 2012 and 2023.
Avocado Market in Turkey
Avocados from Kenya have proved to be a hit in Turkey. Over the past decade, their import value has risen sharply. Kenyan avocado exports to Turkey were worth 70,000 US Dollars in 2012 and reached about 8 million US Dollars in 2023.
Turkey brings Kenyan avocados through its main commercial sea port. Avocados get into the country as sea freight by way of the Port of Haydarpasa. The sea port has refrigerated container stations.
The other way avocados from Kenya enter Turkey is through its main airport. Avocados get into the country as air freight by way of the Istanbul Airport. The airport has a cargo terminal and cold storage rooms to keep avocados fresh as they were when harvested.
Avocado in Turkey
Avocado imports from Kenya into Turkey have been growing faster than any other country. Coincidentally, Kenya and Turkey share a long history of good bilateral relations. A surge in living standards as well as a large population base is expected to propel demand for Kenya avocados in the coming years.
Avocado imports have to first go through the Turkish Customs Administration. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Ministry of Health (MOH). The government of Turkey sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Avocado from Kenya
Here are some advantages Kenya has in supplying avocados to Turkey:
- The transit time from Kenya to Turkey is about 6 hours 30 minutes via air freight and about 18 days via sea freight. This is shorter compared to those from South American countries.
- The short journey also means avocado importers in Turkey incur lower logistical costs.
- Hass, Fuerte and other minor commercial green skin varieties grow in Kenya. They are also available in mixed sizes.
- It has a longer season that lasts from February to October.
- Kenyan avocados are competitively priced as a result of relatively low production costs.
- Most of Kenya is covered by a sub-tropical climate which ensures consistency of quality and supply.
Here is a top avocado exporter 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.