It is not hard to guess why avocado is one of the trendiest fruits in the world. Its smooth, creamy texture and rich, nutty flavor appeals to people of all ages. As a matter of fact, the trend of eating avocados is catching on in Albania. It is as a result of the fast pace of urbanization in the country.
Around 60% of the people in Albania live in towns and cities with a greater number of them concentrated around the capital, Tirana. This urban population is the main driver of avocado consumption in the southern European nation. Albania’s transformation into an upper-middle income economy has trickled down to the personal income of consumers. Therefore, more individuals have the purchasing power to buy avocados brought in from abroad.
Albania Avocado Imports
Seeing as avocado production in Albania is non-existent, avocado imports are found in the domestic market for most part of the year. In 2020, Albania shipped in nearly 400 tons of avocado. It is an increase of 22% from the previous year.
Over the past decade, avocado imports in Albania have enjoyed year on year growth. The highest jump in volume was recorded from 2013 to 2014 at 139%. The peak volume was in the year 2020 at 381 tons.
Here is the import volume of avocados in Albania between 2011 and 2020.
Importing Avocados in Albania
Here is a step by step guide on how to import avocados in Albania:
Avocado Supplying Countries to Albania
Avocados from Greece dominate the import market in Albania. Kenya is the top avocado exporting country in Africa. It has the potential to increase its market share once its gains access. The Albanian avocado market is made up of a diversity of sources.
The other key avocado exporting countries to Albania are:
- Peru
- Turkey
- Spain
- South Africa
- Saudi Arabia
Albania brings avocado from abroad through its main airport. Avocados get into the country as air freight by way of the Tirana International Airport. The airport has a cargo terminal and cold storage rooms to keep avocados fresh as they were when harvested.
The other way avocados enter Albania is through its main commercial sea port. Avocados get into the country as sea freight by way of the Port of Durres. The sea port can accommodate large cargo ships and has stations with electrical outlets for refrigerated containers.
How to Know Reliable Avocado Suppliers in Albania
Avocado importers in Albania must present the following documents for their shipment to be released by the customs office:
- Import permit
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
- Phytosanitary Certificate
- Certificate of Origin
Sourcing Avocado from Kenya
Kenyan avocados can be shipped directly to Albania. Trade relations between the two countries make it possible for Albanian consumers to enjoy them. Moreover, transshipment likely leads to delays during offloading and loading at the intermediate port.
In Albania, custom duties are imposed on all imports. Generally, the VAT on imported commodities is 20%. It is also paid before the customs clearance of goods.
Here are some advantages Kenya has in supplying avocados to Albania:
- It has a longer season that lasts from February to October.
- Production costs are low therefore avocados from Kenya are competitively priced.
- Most of Kenya is covered by a sub-tropical climate which ensures consistency of quality and supply.
Average Transit Time of Importing Avocados in Albania
| COUNTRY | AIR FREIGHT | SEA FREIGHT |
| Kenya | 6 hours 45 minutes | 19 days |
| Peru | 14 hours 30 minutes | 35 days |
| South Africa | 9 hours 50 minutes | 26 days |
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.