The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has one of the most open and dynamic economies in the world. The UAE grew 1.23% from 2019 to 2020, about 120,000 people to the population. With such a fast population growth rate, there is a ready market for avocados.
UAE is the largest importer of avocado in the Middle East region. Avocado demand in the country is so heavy that it is even outstripping supply. Feeding the huge appetite in the UAE has become a fast growing business. The avocado is seen as an exceptionally nutritious fruit with multiple ways to use it.
UAE Avocado Imports
Seeing that avocado production in UAE is non-existent, avocado imports can be found in the domestic market for most part of the year. In 2023, UAE shipped in almost 22,000 tonnes of avocado. It is a decrease of 23% from the previous year.
Here is the import volume of avocados in UAE between 2012 and 2023.
Importing Avocados in UAE
Here is a step by step guide on how to import avocados in UAE:
Avocado Supplying Countries to UAE
The avocado import market in UAE is dominated by Kenya. In 2020, it was the largest supplier of avocados to UAE accounting for about 50% of the total imports. Imports from Kenya have been growing faster than any other country.
The other key avocado exporting countries to UAE are:
- Peru
- The United States (US)
- Mexico
- Chile
- South Africa
- The Netherlands
It also imports avocado in small volumes from countries like:
- Spain
- Morocco
- Colombia
- Uganda
- Ethiopia
- Tanzania
UAE brings avocado from abroad through its main commercial sea port. Avocados get into the country as sea freight by way of the Port of Jebel Ali. The sea port has facilities to handle containers.
The other way avocados enter the UAE is through its biggest airports. Avocados come in as air freight by way of the Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport. These airports cold storage rooms and cargo terminals.
How to Know Reliable Avocado Suppliers in UAE
Avocado importers in UAE 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 Avocados from Kenya
Here are some advantages Kenya has in supplying avocados to UAE:
- 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 consistent avocado production year after year.
Average Transit Time of Importing Avocados in UAE
| COUNTRY | AIR FREIGHT | SEA FREIGHT |
| Kenya | 5 hours | 12 days |
| Mexico | 18 hours 20 minutes | |
| Peru | 19 hours | |
| US | 16 hours |
Here is one of the top avocado exporters 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