Hungary depends on avocado imports to a large extent for domestic consumption. Its continental climate with cold snowy winters and warm or hot summers prevent it from growing avocado. The average rainfall is about 600mm per year and temperatures can be as low as 0°C and as high as 22°C. Hungary’s geography is another reason as most parts of the country are low-lying.
Majority of avocados sold in Hungary are found in supermarkets. The biggest number of consumers in the country is found in the cities of Budapest, Debrecen and Miskolc. Smaller retail outlets, wholesale outlets and fresh produce markets around Hungary also trade in smaller quantities of avocados.
Hungary Avocado Imports
Imports of avocado in Hungary were valued at nearly 16 million US Dollars in 2021. Compared to the previous year, it is an increase of 46%. The sharpest climb was from 2013 to 2014 when the import value rose from about 2 million US Dollars to around 3 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in Hungary between 2012 and 2021.
Avocado Price in Hungary per kg
The cost of a kilo of imported avocados in Hungary can be between 800 Hungarian Forint (2.03 US Dollars) and 900 Hungarian Forint (2.28 US Dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price has gone as low as 620 Hungarian Forint (1.57 US Dollars) in the recent past.
Retail prices of avocado per piece vary from seller to seller. Hungarians can buy imported avocados for most of the year because they are sourced from a few nations. Market timing also determines the price range as late season avocados get a premium over early season avocados.
Avocado consumers in Hungary 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. Hungary imports a bulk of avocado during their summer months from June up to August. It brings in small amounts of avocado the rest of the year from other countries with some supply.
Avocado in Hungary
Hungary is gradually turning into 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 Hungary 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 Hungary are packed in both 4kg and 10kg cartons.
Avocado imports have to first go through the Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration (NTCA). They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the National Food Chain Safety Office (NEBIH). The government of Hungary sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Ministry of Agriculture.
Importing Avocado from Kenya
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.