Slovakia is coming up as a significant importer of avocados in the central European region. It is owing to the fact that slightly more than half of the population is urbanized. As new towns and cities spring up, a big number of the inhabitants still live in and around the capital, Bratislava.
The reputation of the avocado in Slovakia is continuously changing from exotic to a familiar fruit. Avocado consumption in the country is on the rise as more consumers get a taste of the fruit. With a new middle class in Slovakia, demand for avocado is expected to grow in the years to come.
Slovakia Avocado Imports
Imported avocados are available in Slovakia for most part of the year since there is no avocado production in the country. In 2023, Slovakia shipped in nearly 3,400 tonnes of avocado. It is an increase of 16% from the previous year.
Over the last decade, avocado imports in Slovakia have enjoyed steady growth. The highest jump in volume was recorded from 2017 to 2018 at 69%. The peak volume was in the year 2023 at 3,334 tonnes.
Here is the import volume of avocados in Slovakia between 2012 and 2023.
Importing Avocados into Slovakia
Here is a step by step guide on how to import avocados in Slovakia:
Avocado Supplying Countries to Slovakia
Avocados that are re-exported from Germany dominate the import market in Slovakia. Since the year 2011, Kenya has gained in market share. From exporting avocados worth 29,000 US Dollars to reach 300,000 US Dollars in 2023. The Slovak avocado market is made up of a diversity of sources.
The other key avocado exporting countries to Slovakia are:
- Spain
- Peru
- Colombia
- Israel
- The Netherlands
It also imports avocado in small volumes from countries like:
- South Africa
- Mexico
- Chile
Slovakia brings avocado from abroad only through its main airport. This is because it is a landlocked country. Avocados get into the country as air freight by way of the Bratislava Airport. The airport has a cargo terminal and cold storage rooms that keep avocados fresh as they were when harvested.
How to Know Reliable Avocado Suppliers in Slovakia
Avocado importers in Slovakia must present the following documents for their shipment to be released by the customs office:
- Import permit
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Airway Bill
- Phytosanitary Certificate
- Certificate of Origin
Sourcing Avocados from Kenya
Here are some advantages Kenya has in supplying avocados to Slovakia:
- 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 Slovakia
| COUNTRY | AIR FREIGHT | SEA FREIGHT |
| Kenya | 7 hours 45 minutes | |
| Peru | 13 hours | |
| Colombia | 12 hours 30 minutes |
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.