Montenegro is one of the fastest growing markets for South African avocados. People in the Southeastern European country are acquiring a taste for them. Despite Montenegro being old-fashioned when it comes to exotic foods, avocados are becoming a regular sight in supermarkets and smaller retail outlets.
South African avocados are appealing to consumers in Montenegro mostly because of their rich, creamy taste. Meanwhile, Montenegro is expanding its capacity to import avocado for it has emerged as one of Europe’s trendy tourist destinations. Although the country has a small population of about 630,000, its growing love for avocado is evident.
Montenegro Avocado Imports
In 2023, Montenegro shipped in nearly 259 tonnes of avocado. It is an increase of 45% from the previous year. The avocado market in Montenegro is dominated by South Africa.
Here is the import volume of avocados from South Africa in Montenegro between 2012 and 2023.
Avocado Market in Montenegro
Avocados from South Africa are selling well in Montenegro. Over the past decade, their import value has risen sharply. South African avocado exports to Montenegro were worth 24,000 US Dollars in 2012 and reached about 933,000 US Dollars in 2023.
The more South Africa ships out avocado to Montenegro, the higher it gets from export earnings. The sharpest climb was from 2020 to 2021 at 98%. The peak value was in the year 2023 when it was almost 933,000 US Dollars.
Montenegro brings South African avocados through its main commercial sea port. Avocados get into the country as sea freight by way of the Port of Bar. The sea port has refrigerated container stations.
The other way avocados from South Africa enter Montenegro is through its main airport. Avocados get into the country as air freight by way of the Podgorica Airport. The airport has a cargo terminal and cold storage rooms to keep avocados fresh as they were when harvested.
Avocado in Montenegro
Avocado imports have to first go through the Montenegro Revenue and Customs Administration. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs (AFSVFA). The government of Montenegro sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Avocado Export South Africa
Here are some advantages South Africa has in supplying avocados to Montenegro:
- The transit time from South Africa to Montenegro is about 10 hours via air freight and about 27 days via sea freight. This is shorter compared to those from Peru.
- The short journey also means avocado importers in Montenegro incur lower logistical costs.
- Hass, Fuerte and other minor commercial green skin varieties grow in South Africa. They are also available in mixed sizes.
- It has a long season that lasts from March to September.
- South African avocados are competitively priced as a result of relatively low production costs.
- The North Eastern part of the country is covered by a sub-tropical climate which ensures consistency of quality and supply.
Here is a top foreign exporter of South African avocado
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 leading exporter of 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.