Bulgaria is heavily dependent on avocado imports for domestic consumption. Its continental climate with cold snowy winters and warm to hot summers is not suitable for commercial growing of avocados. The average rainfall ranges from 500mm to 650mm per year and temperatures can be as low as 0°C and as high as 25°C. Bulgaria’s geography is another reason as most parts of the country lie at altitude of less than 600m a.sl.
Majority of avocados sold in Bulgaria are found in supermarkets. The biggest number of consumers in the country is found in the cities of Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna. Smaller retail outlets, wholesale outlets and fresh produce markets around Bulgaria also trade in smaller quantities of avocados.
Bulgaria Avocado Imports
Imports of avocado in Bulgaria were valued at close to 8 million US Dollars in 2021. Compared to the previous year, it is an increase of 13%. The sharpest climb was from 2013 to 2014 when the import value rose from about 800,000 US Dollars to around 1.5 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in Bulgaria between 2012 and 2021.
Avocado Price in Bulgaria per kg
The cost of a kilo of imported avocados in Bulgaria can be between 5 Bulgarian Lev (2.70 US Dollars) and 6 Bulgarian Lev (3.24 US Dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price has gone as low as 4 Bulgarian Lev (2.16 US Dollars) in the recent past.
Retail prices of avocado per piece vary from seller to seller. Bulgarians 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 Bulgaria 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. Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria
Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria are packed in both 4kg and 10kg cartons.
Avocado imports have to first go through the National Customs Agency of Bulgaria. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA). The government of Bulgaria sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
Cartons of avocado must be labeled according to guidelines determined by the Ministry of Economy and Industry. Bilingual language, which includes Bulgarian, 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 Bulgaria must undergo the pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) tests done by government laboratories. They should not exceed acceptable limits according to Codex. BFSA is responsible for the control of pesticides residue on avocado imports.
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.