Belgium is heavily dependent on avocado imports to meet domestic demand. Its temperate oceanic climate with mild winters and cool summers can’t support avocado production. The average rainfall is about 900mm per year and the temperatures can be as low as 2°C and as high as 22°C.
Majority of avocados sold in Belgium are in supermarkets. The biggest number of consumers in the country is found in the cities of Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent. Smaller retail outlets, wholesale markets and street vendors around Belgium also trade in smaller quantities of avocados.
Belgium Avocado Imports
Imports of avocado in Belgium were valued at almost 77 million US Dollars in 2023. Compared to the previous year, it is an increase of 8%. The sharpest climb was from 2015 to 2016 when the import value rose from about 42 million US Dollars to around 62 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in Belgium between 2012 and 2023.
Avocado Price in Belgium per kg
The cost of a kilo of imported avocados in Belgium can be between 3 Euros (US3.08 dollars) and 4 Euros (US4.11 dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price has gone as low as 2.38 Euros (US2.44 dollars) in the recent past.
Retail prices of avocado per piece vary from seller to seller. Belgians can buy imported avocados for most 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 Belgium 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. Belgium imports a bulk of avocado during its summer months from July up to August. It brings in small amounts of avocado the rest of the year from countries whose season comes later.
Avocado in Belgium
Belgium can be considered 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 Belgium 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. Avocados of mixed sizes are sold in the domestic market. Such kind of avocados are usually part of the trade.
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 Belgium are packed in both 4kg and 10kg cartons.
Avocado imports have to first go through the Belgium Customs and Excise. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC). The government of Belgium sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Ministry of Agriculture.
Cartons of avocado must be labeled according to guidelines determined by the Federal Public Service Foreign Trade. Bilingual language, which includes Dutch, German or French, 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 Belgium must undergo the pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) tests done by government laboratories. They should not exceed acceptable limits according to Codex. FASFC is responsible for the control of pesticides residue on avocado imports.