The avocado was once considered an exotic fruit in Egypt but today its a staple. In view of the fact that they are being sold in supermarkets, smaller retail outlets and wholesale markets reflects an ever-growing demand. Their reputation as a superfood has won over many consumers in Egypt.
Improvements in the supply chain has led Egypt to import more avocado than before. The recent explosion in avocado trade in the North African nation can also be attributed to people’s greater interest and awareness of healthy eating. Although Egyptians prefer green skin varieties, the Hass variety is quickly gaining in market share.
Egypt Avocado Imports
In 2023, Egypt shipped in nearly 3,200 tonnes of avocado. It is a decrease of 15% from the previous year. The avocado market in Egypt is dominated by Kenya.
Here is the import volume of avocados from Kenya in Egypt between 2012 and 2023.
Avocado Market in Egypt
Avocados from Kenya are selling well in Egypt. Over the past decade, their import value has risen sharply. Kenyan avocado exports to Egypt were worth 250,000 US Dollars in 2012 and reached about 7 million US Dollars in 2023.
Egypt brings Kenyan avocados through its main commercial sea port. Avocados get into the country as sea freight by way of the Port of Alexandria. The sea port has refrigerated container stations.
The other way avocados from Kenya enter Egypt is through its main airport. Avocados get into the country as air freight by way of the Cairo International Airport. The airport has a cargo terminal and cold storage rooms to keep avocados fresh as they were when harvested.
Avocado in Egypt
Avocados are widely available in Egypt after a lot of marketing. Aside from touting a variety of health benefits the avocado possesses, retailers are also selling consumers on its versatility when cooking. People in Egypt are buying avocados to blend them in their smoothies, eat them in their salads or desserts or put them on their bread to make avocado toast.
Avocado imports have to first go through the Egyptian Customs Authority. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA). The government of Egypt sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.
Avocado from Kenya
Here are some advantages Kenya has in supplying avocados to Egypt:
- The transit time from Kenya to Egypt is about 5 hours via air freight and about 14 days via sea freight. This is shorter compared to those from South American countries.
- Avocado importers in Egypt incur lower logistical costs due to the close proximity between the two countries.
- Hass, Fuerte and other minor commercial green skin varieties grow in Kenya. They are also available in mixed sizes.
- It has a longer season that lasts from February to October.
- Kenyan avocados are competitively priced as a result of relatively low production costs.
- Most of Kenya is covered by a sub-tropical climate which ensures consistency of quality and supply.
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.