Portugal is heavily reliant on avocado imports to satisfy local demand. Its mostly temperate climate with cold winters and warm summers prevents avocado production. The southern part of the country is covered by a Mediterranean climate that can favor limited growing of avocado. The average rainfall is about 500mm per year and temperatures can be as low as 12°C and as high as 25°C.
Majority of avocados sold in Portugal are found in supermarkets. The biggest number of consumers in the country is found in the cities of Lisbon, Porto and Amadora. Smaller retail outlets, wholesale outlets and fresh produce markets around Portugal also trade in smaller quantities of avocados.
Portugal Avocado Imports
Imports of avocado in Portugal were valued at nearly 24 million US Dollars in 2021. Compared to the previous year, it is a slight increase of 4%. The sharpest climb was from 2016 to 2017 when the import value rose from about 4 million US Dollars to around 9 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in Portugal between 2012 and 2021.
Avocado Price in Portugal per kg
The cost of a kilo of imported avocados in Portugal can be between 2 Euro (2.11 US Dollars) and 3 Euro (3.11 US Dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price has stayed at 2.42 Euro (2.55 US Dollars) in the recent past.
Just like any fruit, retail prices of one avocado vary depending on the seller. The Portuguese 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 Portugal 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. Portugal imports a bulk of avocado during its 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 Portugal
Portugal is gradually turning into 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 Portugal prefer Hass avocados that are small in size because of their lower cost.
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 Portugal are packed in both 4kg and 10kg cartons.
Avocado imports have to first go through the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Economic and Food Safety Authority (ASAE). The government of Portugal sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development.
Importing Avocado from Kenya
Here is a top avocado exporter in Kenya.
Freshela Exporters
Freshela is a Kenyan based company that engages in the sourcing, processing and exporting of avocados and other fresh produce.
Freshela is a proud exporter of Kenyan avocados. We source avocados from our company farm and partner farms.
We give competitive pricing to our customers and guarantee reliable delivery time.
We use a modern grading machine to achieve desired avocado weight. The fruit is also graded to eliminate any with physical quality defects.
We pack avocado fruit for both air and sea freights. All of our avocado packing is approved by FDA and is certified by HACCP Quality Assurance.