Spain heavily imports avocado to meet local demand. With a broad range of climatic conditions, it has a Mediterranean climate along the coastal region that favors limited avocado production. The average rainfall is about 600mm per year and temperatures can be as low as 10°C and as high as 25°C.
A bulk of avocados sold in Spain are found in supermarkets. The biggest number of consumers in the country is found in the cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Smaller retail outlets, wholesale markets and street vendors around Spain also trade in smaller quantities of avocados.
Spain Avocado Imports
Imports of avocado in Spain were valued almost 500 million US Dollars in 2021. Compared to the previous year, it is an increase of 51%. The sharpest climb was from 2014 to 2015 when the import value rose from about 38 million US Dollars to around 127 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in Spain between 2012 and 2021.
Avocado Price in Spain per kg
The cost of a kilo of avocados in Spain can be between 2 Euros (US2.03 dollars) and 3 Euros (US3.05 dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price has stayed at 2.5 Euros (US2.46 dollars) in the recent past.
Just like any fruit, retail prices of one avocado vary depending on the seller. Spaniards 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 Spain 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. Spain imports huge amounts 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 in Spain
Spain 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 Spain 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 Spain are packed in both 4kg and 10kg cartons.
Avocado imports have to first go through the Spanish Tax Agency. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN). The government of Spain sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Cartons of avocado must be labeled according to guidelines determined by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism. Bilingual language, which includes Spanish, 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 Spain must undergo the pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) tests done by government laboratories. They should not exceed acceptable limits according to Codex, EU. AESAN is responsible for the control of pesticides residue on avocado imports.