Avocado consumption is a huge trend in Europe. Despite the fact that each country has its own specifics, there are many behaviors which are common among European consumers. Meanwhile, the avocado market in Europe is growing as more people turn towards healthier food.
Presently, consumers in Europe are buying more avocado because they see it as a healthy snack. Furthermore, one of the selling techniques by retailers is that the fatty fruit makes any meal better. Another selling point is that there is an abundant supply of in-season avocados ever since other avocado exporting countries entered the scene aside from the usual suppliers.
Avocado Market in Europe
In 2023, Europe shipped in nearly 757,000 tonnes of avocado. It is an increase of 11% from the previous year. Although the avocado market in Europe is dominated by Peru, South Africa is among the top 5 suppliers.
Here is the import volume of avocados from South Africa in Europe between 2012 and 2023.
Avocados from South Africa are fetching good prices in the European market. Over the past decade, their import value has risen sharply. South Africa avocado exports were worth 97 million US Dollars in 2012 and reached about 192 million US Dollars in 2023.
The more South Africa ships out avocado to Europe, the higher it gets from export earnings. The sharpest climb was from 2017 to 2018 at 32%. The peak value was in the year 2023 when it was just above 191 million US Dollars.
South Africa Avocado
Consumers across Europe are keen on taste, freshness, nutritional value, quality, convenience and seasonality. For this reason, they love South African avocados. These avocados tick all the boxes in boosting health, tasting delicious and satisfying a craving. Evidently, they have met consumers’ expectations because they continue to gain access to more European nations.
Retailers in Europe are responding to heightened demand for avocado by sourcing from different regions. South Africa is one such country whose avocados are on supermarket shelves and market stands throughout Europe. Hotels and restaurants have even welcomed South African avocados that are of higher quality to their menus. Consequently, there are customers who are willing to pay more.
Avocados from South Africa have benefited greatly from marketing campaigns in Europe. Promotional activities such as in-store marketing in supermarkets and advertisements on different media have led to a surge in sales. Avocado growers, packers and exporters in South Africa apply best practice in order to deliver quality fruit that sells itself.
Avocado South Africa
Considering that South Africa produces both dark and green skin varieties, it has become a desirable source of avocados for the European market. 80% of avocado trees are Hass and Hass-type cultivars while Fuerte, Pinkerton and other green skin types make up the remaining 20% according to the South African Avocado Growers’ Association (SAAGA). Western Europe likes Hass avocado better whereas Western Europe favor green skin avocados.
South African avocados are reasonably priced. Transit time from South Africa to European nations is shorter than from South American countries. Therefore, they attract additional customers once they land in Europe.
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.