Austria heavily imports avocado for local consumption because it can’t grow its own. It experiences three types of climate, continental, Alpine and temperate with cold, sometimes freezing, winters and warm to hot summers. The average rainfall is around 1,000mm per year and temperatures can be as low as -2°C and as high as 27°C.
A bulk of avocados sold in Austria are found in supermarkets. The biggest number of consumers in the country is found in the cities of Vienna, Graz and Linz. Smaller retail outlets, wholesale markets and street vendors around Austria also trade in smaller quantities of avocados.
Austria Avocado Imports
Imports of avocado in Austria were valued at just above 49 million US Dollars in 2021. Compared to the previous year, it is an increase of 6%. The sharpest climb was from 2015 to 2016 when the import value rose from about 18 million US Dollars to around 27 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in Austria between 2012 and 2021.
Avocado Price in Austria per kg
The cost of a kilo of avocados in Austria can be between 3 Euros (US3.06 dollars) and 4 Euros (US4.08 dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price has stayed at around 3.5 Euros (US3.57 dollars) in the recent past.
Just like any fruit, retail prices of one avocado vary depending on the seller. Austrians can buy imported avocados for most part of the year because they are sourced from several nations in different hemispheres. Market timing also determines the price range as late season avocados get a premium over early season avocados.
Avocado consumers in Austria 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. Austria imports a bulk of avocado during their summer months from May up to September. It brings in small amounts of avocado the rest of the year from countries whose season comes later.
Avocado in Austria
Austria can be considered a high-value avocado market. The country takes in commercial varieties such as Hass and Fuerte. But it also brings in non-commercial green skin varieties. Many avocado consumers in Austria prefer Hass avocados that are small in size because of their lower cost.
Consumers can expect to pay more for Hass avocados than the other varieties. Large avocados are still sold in the local market. Such kind of avocados are usually part of the trade and make up a small part of the regular shipments.
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 Austria are packed in both 4kg and 10kg cartons.
Avocado imports have to first go through the Customs Administration of Austria. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Federal Office for Food Safety (BAES). The government of Austria sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism.
Cartons of avocado must be labeled according to guidelines determined by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs. Bilingual language, which includes German, 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 Austria must undergo the pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) tests done by government laboratories. They should not exceed acceptable limits according to Codex. BAES is responsible for the control of pesticides residue on avocado imports.