Indonesia relies heavily on avocado imports to meet local demand. Its equatorial climate being hot, humid and rainy throughout the year is suitable for limited avocado production. The average rainfall ranges from 2000mm to 3000mm per year and temperatures can be as low as 23°C and as high as 32°C. In addition, Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activities.
Majority of imported avocados sold in Indonesia are found in supermarkets. The biggest number of consumers in the country is found in the cities of Jakarta, Surabaya and Medan. Smaller retail outlets, wholesale outlets and fresh produce markets around Indonesia also trade in smaller quantities of avocados.
Indonesia Avocado Imports
Imports of avocado in Indonesia were valued at just above 500,000 US Dollars in 2021. Even though it’s a slight drop from the previous year, it is the other record high value since 2017. The sharpest climb was from 2017 to 2018 when the import value rose from about 152,000 US Dollars to around 668,000 US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in Indonesia between 2014 and 2021.
Avocado Price in Indonesia per kg
The cost of a kilo of imported avocados in Indonesia can be between 70,000 Indonesian Rupiah (4.68 US Dollars) and 80,000 Indonesian Rupiah (5.34 US Dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price has gone as high as 96,000 Indonesian Rupiah (6.41 US Dollars) in the recent past.
Just like any fruit, retail prices of one avocado vary depending on the seller. Indonesians 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 Indonesia 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. Indonesia 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 Indonesia
Indonesia 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 Indonesia 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 Indonesia are packed in both 4kg and 10kg cartons.
Avocado imports have to first go through the Directorate General of Customs and Excise of Indonesia. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Indonesian National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM). The government of Indonesia 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 Trade. Bilingual language, which includes Indonesian, 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 Indonesia must undergo the pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) tests done by government laboratories. They should not exceed acceptable limits according to Codex. BPOM 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.