Avocados are not only popular in markets around the world but also on social media. There are thousands of pictures of the fruit that have been posted on social networking sites especially by Millennials. Likewise, in Azerbaijan, the avocado is redefining itself from a fruit that is unfamiliar to one that is much-loved. As the urban population in the country grows, so does the number of orders for the fatty fruit.
Around 60% of the inhabitants of Azerbaijan live in towns and cities with a majority of them living in and around the capital, Baku. These are the people who are including avocado alongside other fruits they regularly eat. Consequently, the influence of Azerbaijan’s modernization on the locals’ diet is evident. The western Asian nation is expected to source more avocados from abroad in the coming years.
Azerbaijan Avocado Imports
Taking into account that avocado production in Azerbaijan barely exists, avocado imports are found in the domestic market for most part of the year. In 2021, Azerbaijan shipped in nearly 250 tons of avocado. It is an increase of 20% from the previous year.
Over the past decade, avocado imports in Azerbaijan have enjoyed growth year after year. The highest jump in volume was recorded from 2015 to 2016 at over 500%. The peak volume was in the year 2021 at 239 tons.
Here is the import volume of avocados in Azerbaijan between 2012 and 2021.
Importing Avocados in Azerbaijan
Here is a step by step guide on how to import avocados in Azerbaijan:
Avocado Supplying Countries to Azerbaijan
Avocados from South Africa dominate the import market in Azerbaijan. Kenya is among the top 10 suppliers. It has gained in market share from exporting avocados worth 1,270 US Dollars to reach 21,840 US Dollars. The Azerbaijani avocado market is made up of a diversity of sources.
The other key avocado exporting countries to Azerbaijan are:
- Peru
- Turkey
- Colombia
- Israel
- Luxembourg
It also imports avocado in small volumes from countries like:
- Spain
- Chile
- Mexico
Azerbaijan brings avocado from abroad through its main airport. Avocados get into the country as air freight by way of the Heydar Aliyev 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 Azerbaijan is through its main commercial sea port. Avocados get into the country as sea freight by way of the Port of Baku. The sea port can accommodate large cargo ships and has stations with electrical outlets for refrigerated containers.
How to Know Reliable Avocado Suppliers in Azerbaijan
Avocado importers in Azerbaijan 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 Azerbaijan. Trade relations between the two countries make it possible for Azerbaijani consumers to enjoy them. Moreover, transshipment likely leads to delays during offloading and loading at the intermediate port.
Here are some advantages Kenya has in supplying avocados to Azerbaijan:
- 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 Azerbaijan
| COUNTRY | AIR FREIGHT | SEA FREIGHT |
| Kenya | 6 hours 30 minutes | 21 days |
| Peru | 17 hours 45 minutes | 40 days |
| South Africa | 10 hours 10 minutes | 29 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.