Estonia depends largely on avocado imports to meet local demand. Its moderate continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, rainy summers can’t support commercial avocado production. The average rainfall is around 700mm per year and temperatures can be as low as 0°C and as high as 22°C.
Supermarkets in Estonia sell a greater quantity of avocados. The biggest number of consumers in the country is found in the cities of Tallinn, Tartu and Narva. Smaller retail outlets, wholesale markets and street vendors around Estonia also trade in smaller quantities of avocados.
Estonia Avocado Imports
Imports of avocado in Estonia were valued at about 5.6 million US Dollars in 2021. Compared to the previous year, it is a slight increase of 3%. The sharpest climb was from 2012 to 2013 when the import value rose from about 600,000 US Dollars to around 1 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in Estonia between 2012 and 2021.
Avocado Price in Estonia per kg
The cost of a kilo of avocados in Estonia can be between 3 Euros (US3.13 dollars) and 4 Euros (US4.17 dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price has gone as low as about 2 Euros (US2.09 dollars).
Retail prices of avocado per piece vary from seller to seller. Estonians 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 Estonia 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. Estonia 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 countries whose season comes later.
Avocado in Estonia
Estonia 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 Estonia 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 Estonia are packed in both 4kg and 10kg cartons.
Avocado imports have to first go through the Tax and Customs Board of Estonia. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Agriculture and Food Board. The government of Estonia sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Ministry of Rural Affairs.
Cartons of avocado must be labeled according to guidelines determined by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication. Bilingual language, which includes Estonian, 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 Estonia must undergo the pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) tests done by government laboratories. They should not exceed acceptable limits according to Codex. The Agriculture and Food Board is responsible for the control of pesticides residue on avocado imports.