Eating avocados has become normalized in many parts around the world. Similarly, it is evident in Indonesia’s case how the fruit has improved the diversity of their cuisine. Not only are urban centers in the country swelling but also demand for avocados. Around 60% of the citizens live in towns and cities with a large number of them living in and around the capital, Jakarta.
The avocado has shed its reputation as an exotic food with consumers in Indonesia. A population boom in the country, which is made up of a chain of thousands of islands, has necessitated bringing in the tropical fruit from abroad. Indonesia’s strong economic status enables people to buy imported avocados. Aside from being an emerging market economy, foreign tourists, who flock the Indonesian archipelago, are also send avocado demand soaring.
Indonesia Avocado Imports
Taking into account that avocado production in Indonesia is still too low, avocado imports are found in the domestic market for most part of the year. In 2023, Indonesia shipped in 65 tons of avocado. It is an increase of 13% from the previous year.
Over the past few years, avocado imports in Indonesia have enjoyed steady growth. The highest jump in volume was recorded from 2017 to 2018 at 270%. The peak volume was in the year 2019 at 155 tons.
Here is the import volume of avocados in Indonesia between 2014 and 2023.
Importing Avocados in Indonesia
Here is a step by step guide on how to import avocados in Indonesia:
Avocado Supplying Countries to Indonesia
Avocados from Australia dominate the import market in Indonesia. Kenya is the top avocado exporting country in Africa. It has the potential to increase its market share once its gains access. The Indonesian avocado market is made up of a diversity of sources.
The other key avocado exporting countries to Indonesia are:
- The United States (US)
- New Zealand
- Thailand
- Spain
- The Philippines
Indonesia brings avocado from abroad through its main airport. Avocados get into the country as air freight by way of the Soekarno-Hatta 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 Indonesia is through its main commercial sea port. Avocados get into the country as sea freight by way of the Port of Tanjung Priok. The sea port can accommodate large cargo ships and has stations with electrical outlets for refrigerated containers.
How to Know Reliable Avocado Suppliers in Indonesia
Avocado importers in Indonesia 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 Indonesia. Trade relations between the two countries make it possible for Indonesian consumers to enjoy them. Moreover, transshipment likely leads to delays during offloading and loading at the intermediate port. Custom duties are imposed all imports including agricultural products and have to be paid before the customs clearance of goods.
Here are some advantages Kenya has in supplying avocados to Indonesia:
- 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 Indonesia
| COUNTRY | AIR FREIGHT | SEA FREIGHT |
| Kenya | 10 hours 15 minutes | 17 days |
| Peru | 22 hours 50 minutes | 60 days |
| US | 18 hours 50 minutes | 48 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.