Uganda is moving up the ranks as an avocado exporting country. Strong sales of Ugandan avocado in international markets have lifted their reputation further. Uganda has seen a rise in the total value of avocado exports especially in recent years.
Uganda is strengthening trade links with countries in Europe and the Middle East. As a result, there is an upward trend in the number of avocados its selling abroad. Growing demand for essential food products is set to uplift the avocado industry in Uganda.
Avocado in Uganda
Uganda is a significant country of origin for avocados. The journey from avocado farms in Uganda to overseas markets is a complex one. Just like any other fresh produce, avocados have a short shelf life.
The main avocado season in Uganda lasts from March to September. Being a climacteric fruit, avocado ripens only after harvesting. Only mature avocados are picked so as to withstand the rigors of handling and transportation.
Exporting Uganda Avocado
Keeping avocados from Uganda fresh requires a cold chain. Once they are picked, they are kept refrigerated constantly so as to deliver the best ripeness before they hit the shelves. Ripening and softening is delayed by pre-cooling the fruit immediately after harvest.
Here are the optimum Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage and transport conditions for Ugandan avocado:
- Unripe fruit is stored at temperatures between 8°C and 12°C and for ripe fruit it is between 5°C and 12°C.
- Relative humidity during storage is between 85% and 90%.
- Fruit is stored under proper ventilation at 2% to 5% oxygen and up to 10% carbon dioxide.
- Fruit is stored and transported at very low ethylene levels to reduce early softening.
During the trip from tree to shelf, avocados release carbon dioxide, ethylene, water vapour and heat. As a result, storage for ripe fruit is between 7 and 14 days and up to 28 days for unripe fruit to prevent rotting. CA transportation through refrigerated or reefer containers extends the shelf life up to 6 weeks.
Here are other details you need to know about shipping avocado from Uganda:
- Avocados are packaged in single layers in fruit crates or cartons and sometimes with padding and palletized.
- Avocado cargo is handled carefully because it is sensitive to impact, pressure, heat and moisture.
- Avocados are kept in good hygienic conditions because they can spoil when exposed to dirt.
Avocado Exporters in Uganda
The government of Uganda regulates exporting of avocados primarily through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and the Uganda Export Promotion Board (UEPB). These bodies ensure that Ugandan avocados sold in markets abroad are of exceptional quality. Avocados leave the country through the Entebbe International Airport.
Avocado exporters in Uganda must meet the following requirements:
- They must be registered with MAAIF
- Have an export permit from MAAIF and UEPB
- Have a Phytosanitary Certificate from the Department of Crop Protection at the Ministry of Agriculture.
- Have a Global G.A.P Certificate
- They must have a Certificate of Origin
Here is a top avocado exporter
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.