Mauritius now imports avocado in greater quantities due to plentiful supply from countries, like South Africa, that grow the fruit. Similarly, the island nation can buy more of the fruit because such sufficient supply has sent prices down. Given that new avocado orchards are coming into production, South Africa is set to boost avocado exports to Mauritius.
Avocado exporters in South Africa have already set their sights on the Mauritian market. This is owing to the fact that Mauritius is a popular tourist destination. International tourists who flock the golden beaches and grand hotels are creating a strong demand for exotic fruit like avocado. Moreover, local consumers are attracted by the different taste.
Mauritius Avocado Imports
In 2021, Mauritius shipped in nearly 75 tons of avocado. Although it’s a slight decrease from the previous year, its another record high volume since 2016. The avocado market in Mauritius is dominated by South Africa.
Here is the import volume of avocados from South Africa in Mauritius between 2012 and 2021
Avocado Market in Mauritius
Avocados from South Africa have proved to be a hit in Mauritius. Over the past decade, their import value has risen sharply. South African avocado exports to Mauritius were worth 37,000 US Dollars in 2012 and reached about 330,000 US Dollars in 2021.
The more South Africa ships out avocado to Mauritius, the higher it gets from export earnings. The sharpest climb was from 2015 to 2016 at 154%. The peak value was in the year 2019 when it was just above 500,000 US Dollars.
Mauritius brings South African avocados through its main commercial sea port. Avocados get into the country as sea freight by way of the Port Louis Harbour. The sea port has refrigerated container stations.
The other way avocados from South Africa enter Mauritius is through its main airport. Avocados get into the country as air freight by way of the Mauritius Airport. The airport has a cargo terminal and cold storage rooms to keep avocados fresh as they were when harvested.
Avocado in Mauritius
Avocado imports have to first go through the Mauritius Revenue Authority Customs Department. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The government of Mauritius sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security.
Avocado Export South Africa
Here are some advantages South Africa has in supplying avocados to Mauritius:
- The transit time from South Africa to Mauritius is about 4 hours 20 minutes via air freight and about 8 days via sea freight.
- The short journey also means avocado importers in Mauritius incur lower logistical costs.
- Hass, Fuerte and other minor commercial green skin varieties grow in South Africa. They are also available in mixed sizes.
- It has a long season that lasts from March to September.
- South African avocados are competitively priced as a result of relatively low production costs.
- The North Eastern part of the country is covered by a sub-tropical climate which ensures consistency of quality and supply.
Here is a top foreign exporter of South African avocado
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 leading exporter of 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.