Brunei depends greatly on avocado imports for domestic consumption. Although its equatorial climate may be suitable for avocado production, it has limited land size. The average rainfall is about 2,900mm per year and the temperatures range between 23°C and 33°C.
Majority of avocados sold in Brunei are in supermarkets. The biggest number of consumers in the country is found in the cities of Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait and Seria. Smaller retail outlets, wholesale markets and street vendors around Brunei also trade in smaller quantities of avocados.
Brunei Avocado Imports
Imports of avocado in Brunei were valued at about 1 million US Dollars in 2021. Even though it’s a slight drop from the previous year, it is the other record high value since 2019. The sharpest climb was from 2019 to 2020 when the import value rose from about 944,000 US Dollars to around 1 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in Brunei between 2012 and 2021.
Avocado Price in Brunei per kg
The cost of a kilo of imported avocados in Brunei can be between 4 Brunei dollars (US2.87 dollars) and 5 Brunei dollars (US3.58 dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price has gone as low as 3.30 Brunei dollars (US2.36 dollars) in the recent past.
Retail prices of avocado per piece vary from seller to seller. Bruneians can buy imported avocados for most of the year because they are sourced from several nations. Market timing also determines the price range as late season avocados get a premium over early season avocados.
Avocado consumers in Brunei 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. Brunei imports a bulk of avocado during its summer months from February to April. It brings in small amounts of avocado the rest of the year from other countries with some supply.
Avocado in Brunei
Brunei 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 Brunei prefer Hass avocados that are small in size because of their lower cost and they consider them more delicious.
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 Brunei are packed in both 4kg and 10kg cartons.
Avocado imports have to first go through the Brunei Royal Customs and Excise Department. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Brunei Darussalam Food Authority (BDFA). The government of Brunei sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood.
Cartons of avocado must be labeled according to guidelines determined by the Ministry of Health. Bilingual language, which includes Malay, 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 Brunei must undergo the pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) tests done by government laboratories. They should not exceed acceptable limits according to Codex. BDFA is responsible for the control of pesticides residue on avocado imports.