From 2019 to 2020, the value of exported avocados grew by 4.2%.
Noted for their smooth texture, avocados have a distinct and subtle flavor used in savory and sweet dishes around the globe. These pear-shaped berries have a high fat content and are popular in vegetarian recipes as a meat-substitute in sandwiches and salads.
The 3 biggest exporters (Mexico, Netherlands, Peru) for this commodity generated 56.5% of worldwide shipments of avocados.
GLOBAL OVERVIEW AVOCADOS- August 2021
Among continents, North American countries generated the strongest international sales for avocados during 2020 with shipments valued at $2.9 billion or 44.2% of the global total. In second place were European exporters at 27.7% while 18.9% of worldwide shipments of avocados originated from Latin America excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean.
Smaller percentages came from Africa (5.8%), Oceania (1.9%) mostly New Zealand and Australia, and Asia (1.3%).
For research purposes, the 6-digit Harmonized Tariff System code prefix for avocados is 080440.
Avocados Exports by Country
Countries
Advantages
Opportunities
Culinary
Below are the 15 countries that exported the highest dollar value worth of avocados during 2020.
Mexico: US$2.7 billion (41.7% of total exported avocados)
Netherlands: $1.1 billion (16.1%)
Peru: $759.1 million (11.5%)
Spain: $442.9 million (6.7%)
Chile: $219.4 million (3.3%)
Kenya: $169.2 million (2.6%)
United States: $164.7 million (2.5%)
Colombia: $146 million (2.2%)
New Zealand: $115.4 million (1.8%)
Morocco: $107.7 million (1.6%)
Dominican Republic: $95.2 million (1.4%)
France: $90.5 million (1.4%)
Belgium: $79.1 million (1.2%)
South Africa: $76.9 million (1.2%)
Israel: $59.9 million (0.9%)
By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 96.2% of global avocados exports in 2020.
Among the top exporters, the fastest-growing avocados exporters since 2019 were: Morocco (up 109.4%), New Zealand (up 65.9%), Kenya (up 65.2%) and Colombia (up 64%).
Four countries posted declines in their exported avocados sales namely: Chile (down -27%), Israel (down -18%), Mexico (down -5.7%) and France (down -1.2%).
In Africa, South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania have also been making remarkable progress in the sector. Between 2018 and 2019, South Africa’s exports surged from 40,000 to 70,000 tonnes, Kenya’s rose from 47,000 to 75,000 tonnes, and Tanzania recorded a tremendous increase from a meagre 100 tonnes in 2010 to about 6,000 tonnes in 2019.
Arican countries have an important competitive advantage in respect to Latin American countries, due to the closeness to Europe and price competition. Kenya and Morocco are the most prominent upcoming suppliers to Europe, followed by Tanzania and Zimbabwe, that are still minor suppliers to Europe, but growing fast. According to CBI, quality issues and compliance with European standards is often the main challenge for African suppliers. Still, most African suppliers, especially Kenyan, are price competitive and Kenya remains the third largest supplier in the European summer.
