Since Mauritius is an island country, occupying the South East African coast, it has limited land size used mainly for growing of sugarcane, tea, food crops and livestock production. Lack of economies of scale is another major challenge. These are the reasons why the country is a net importer of avocados.
Domestic avocado trade in Mauritius happens in both formal and informal markets. The biggest local market for avocados in Mauritius is the Port Louis Central Market. Avocados are also sold in the other fruits and vegetables markets, supermarkets and by informal traders like street vendors and green groceries around Mauritius.
Mauritius Avocado Imports
Imports of avocado in Mauritius were valued at about 330,000 US Dollars in 2021. Even though it’s a slight drop from the previous year, it is the other record high value since 2017. The sharpest climb was from 2015 to 2016 when the import value rose from about 59,000 US Dollars to around 165,000 US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in Mauritius between 2012 and 2021.
Mauritius imported avocados from South Africa worth US383,750 dollars in 2020, accounting for 93% of the total imports. In the same year, Mauritius brought in avocados valued at US12,350 dollars from Kenya accounting for the 3% of the total imports. The average import price in 2020 was about US3,918 dollars per ton.
Avocado Price per kg in Mauritius
The cost of a kilo of imported avocados in Mauritius can be between 150 Mauritian rupee (US3.35 dollars) and 170 Mauritian rupee (US3.92 dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. When there is limited supply, the price of avocado goes up.
Retail prices of avocado per piece vary among different retailers. Imported avocados face little competition from locally grown avocados because of their abundant supply and better quality. The logistical costs associated with importing avocados are a major factor in setting their retail prices.
Considering that the avocado is a seasonal fruit, its prices are adjusted based on supply. Mauritius imports huge quantities of avocado in March up to September when they are in season. It brings in small quantities of avocado from October to February because they are out of season in most of the avocado producing countries in Africa.
Avocado in Mauritius
Mauritius is progressively becoming 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 like Pinkerton. Many avocado consumers in Mauritius prefer green skin types of avocado because of their lower price and large size.
The type, quality and size of avocado determines its selling price. Even though the dark skin Hass avocado costs more, it is gaining in market share little by little. This is the case among consumers living in the urban areas of Mauritius as they have a higher disposable income than those living in rural areas. Avocados exported to Mauritius are packed in both 4kg and 10kg cartons.
Avocado importers in Mauritius gain higher profits by selling in wholesale markets and supermarkets. The profit margins go lower when informal traders like fruit vendors get in on the avocado business. Informal traders only sell avocados when there excess supply in the market.
Unlike in the past, avocados are now easily available in Mauritius. As a result, avocado consumption in Mauritius is quickly catching up to that of other well-known fruits such as mangoes, pineapples and bananas. Retailers who didn’t stock up on avocado now have it on their shelves.
Imported avocados that are small in size are still sold in the local markets. Such kind of avocados are usually part of the trade and make up a small part of the regular shipments. They help buffer the price from skyrocketing.