Croatia depends on avocado imports to a great extent to meet local demand. Its Mediterranean climate along the coastal areas with hot summers and rainy winters is favorable for limited avocado production. However, its continental climate in the interior areas with mild, rainy summers and cold, snowy winters is hostile to growing avocado. The average rainfall ranges from 800mm to 1000mm per year and temperatures can be as low as 1°C and as high as 25°C.
Majority of avocados sold in Croatia are found in supermarkets. The biggest number of consumers in the country is found in the cities of Zagreb, Split and Rijeka. Smaller retail outlets, wholesale outlets and fresh produce markets around Croatia also trade in smaller quantities of avocados.
Croatia Avocado Imports
Imports of avocado in Croatia were valued at close to 5 million US Dollars in 2021. Compared to the previous year, it is an increase of 23%. The sharpest climb was from 2016 to 2017 when the import value rose from about 1.4 million US Dollars to around 2 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in Croatia between 2014 and 2021.
Avocado Price in Croatia per kg
The cost of a kilo of imported avocados in Croatia can be between 10 Croatian Kuna (1.39 US Dollars) and 20 Croatian Kuna (2.79 US Dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price has gone as high as 21 Croatian Kuna (2.93 US Dollars) in the recent past.
Just like any fruit, retail prices of one avocado vary depending on the seller. Croatians 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 Croatia 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. Croatia imports a bulk of avocado during their summer months from June up to September. It brings in small amounts of avocado the rest of the year from other countries with some supply.
Avocado in Croatia
Croatia 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 Croatia 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 Croatia are packed in both 4kg and 10kg cartons.
Avocado imports have to first go through the Customs Administration of Croatia. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Croatian Food Agency (HAH). The government of Croatia sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Ministry of Agriculture.
Cartons of avocado must be labeled according to guidelines determined by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. Bilingual language, which includes Croatian, 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 Croatia must undergo the pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) tests done by government laboratories. They should not exceed acceptable limits according to Codex. HAH 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.