Albania counts completely on avocado imports for domestic consumption. Its Mediterranean climate along the coastal areas with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers can support limited avocado production. The average rainfall ranges from 1000mm to 2000mm per year and temperatures can be as low as 5°C and as high as 28°C. Avocado orchards can’t do well in the interior areas as they are more arid due to a moderate continental climate.
Majority of imported avocados sold in Albania are found in supermarkets. The biggest number of consumers in the country is found in the cities of Tirana, Durres and Elbasan. Smaller retail outlets, wholesale outlets and fresh produce markets around Albania also trade in smaller quantities of avocados.
Albania Avocado Imports
Imports of avocado in Albania were valued at almost 480,000 US Dollars in 2022. Compared to the previous year, it is a decrease of 35%. The sharpest climb was from 2013 to 2014 when the import value rose from about 20,000 US Dollars to around 60,000 US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in Albania between 2012 and 2022.
Avocado Price in Albania per kg
The cost of a kilo of imported avocados in Albania can be between 170 Albanian Lek (1.60 US Dollars) and 180 Albanian Lek (1.69 US Dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price has gone as high as 185 Albanian Lek (1.74 US Dollars) in the recent past.
Retail prices of avocado per piece vary from seller to seller. Albanians can buy imported avocados for most of the year because they are sourced from a few nations. Market timing also determines the price range as late season avocados get a premium over early season avocados.
Avocado consumers in Albania can also find either good discounts or higher prices depending on the time of shopping. Being a seasonal fruit, avocado prices are adjusted based on supply. Albania imports a bulk of avocado during their summer months from June up to September. It brings in small amounts of avocado the rest of the year from other countries with some supply.
Avocado in Albania
Albania is gradually turning into a high-value avocado market. The country takes in major commercial varieties such as Hass and Fuerte. But it also brings in minor commercial green skin varieties. Many avocado consumers in Albania prefer Hass avocados that are small in size because of their lower cost.
The logistical costs that come with importing avocados are a major factor in setting their retail prices. The type, quality and size of avocado is the other factor behind its selling price. Avocados exported to Albania are packed in both 4kg and 10kg cartons.
Avocado imports have to first go through the General Directorate of Customs of Albania. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the National Food Authority (AKU). The government of Albania sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Cartons of avocado must be labeled according to guidelines determined by the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Bilingual language, which includes Albanian, is required on the label. Labels must include the following information:
- Name and address of producer
- Brand or trademark
- Country of origin
- Type of avocado and grade
- Storage instructions and temperature requirements
- Gross weight and number of avocados per carton
- Shelf life
- Harvest year and packing date
Avocados imported in Albania must undergo the pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) tests done by government laboratories. They should not exceed acceptable limits according to Codex. AKU is responsible for the control of pesticides residue on avocado imports.
Importing Avocado from Kenya
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.