After years of being a lesser-known fruit, avocado has become hugely popular. Part of the avocado’s charm is that it adds creaminess and richness to almost any dish. Actually, the pale green fruit has appeal even in Yemen. This is because more than half of the country’s population is aged under 29.
The influence of modernity on Yemen is evident from the rising number of urban settlements in the country. As towns and cities in Yemen continue to accommodate rural-to-urban migrants, so does the demand for avocado go up. Additionally, the Middle Eastern country is in a perfect geographical position to bring in more avocado from abroad. Located on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Yemen is at the crossroads of international avocado trade among Africa, Europe and Asia.
Yemen Avocado Imports
Considering that there is no avocado production in Yemen, avocado imports are found in the domestic market for most part of the year. In 2019, Yemen shipped in nearly 220 tons of avocado. It is an increase of 65% from the previous year.
Over the past few years, avocado imports in Yemen have enjoyed steady growth. The highest jump in volume was recorded from 2014 to 2018 at over 400%. The peak volume was in the year 2011 at 348 tons. There is no data recorded from 2015 to 2017 and from 2020 to 2021 according to UN Comtrade.
Here is the import volume of avocados in Yemen between 2011 and 2019.
Importing Avocados in Yemen
Here is a step by step guide on how to import avocados in Yemen:
Avocado Supplying Countries to Yemen
Avocados that are re-exported from Saudi Arabia dominate the import market in Yemen. Given that Kenya is the top avocado exporting country in Africa, it is the most recent supplier. After exporting avocados worth 31,710 US Dollars in the year 2019, Kenya has the potential to increase its market share. The Yemeni avocado market is made up of a diversity of sources.
The other key avocado exporting countries to Yemen are:
- South Africa
- Spain
- The United States (US)
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Chile
Yemen brings avocado from abroad through its main airport. Avocados get into the country as air freight by way of the Sanaa 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 Yemen is through its main commercial sea port. Avocados get into the country as sea freight by way of the Port of Aden. The sea port can accommodate large cargo ships and has stations with electrical outlets for refrigerated containers.
How to Know Reliable Avocado Suppliers in Yemen
Avocado importers in Yemen 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 Yemen. Trade relations between the two countries make it possible for Yemeni consumers to enjoy them. Custom duties are imposed all imports and have to be paid before the customs clearance of goods.
Here are some advantages Kenya has in supplying avocados to Yemen:
- 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 Yemen
| COUNTRY | AIR FREIGHT | SEA FREIGHT |
| Kenya | 2 hours 45 minutes | 8 days |
| South Africa | 6 hours 40 minutes | 15 days |
| US | 16 hours 50 minutes | 30 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.