What are avocado logistics like around the world? Find out how this fruit travels to reach consumers’ palates.
In 2023, countries imported avocados worth US$8.482 billion.
The largest importer in that year was the United States, with foreign purchases of 1.26 million tons worth 3.087 billion dollars.
Avocado logistics
In 2019, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Trade Finance Global published an analysis on blockchain and distributed accounting technology, which included data on international avocado trade.
Case in point: the Netherlands, the world’s second largest avocado consumer, lacks the climate needed to produce this fruit.
To meet this growing demand, it is essential to turn to the international market. This is because certain countries do not have the capacity to produce within their own borders.
In addition, the analysis highlights another key point. Although avocados are a very popular food, many consumers do not fully understand the long process they go through. From the farm to the breakfast store, the avocado goes through an arduous journey before it reaches your favorite toast.
The following are the world’s largest avocado importers in 2023, in tons:
- United States: 1.26 million.
- Netherlands: 379,000.
- Spain: 241,000.
Transportation and paperwork
According to the same analysis, Maersk tracked in 2014 a container of roses and avocados. This journey was from Kenya to its final destination in the Netherlands. The goal was to understand exactly what processes a shipment must go through.
They discovered several important points. The 34-day process involved about 30 stakeholders, more than 100 people and more than 200 interactions. That’s a lot of effort just to deliver some healthy fat. However, the most relevant finding was another. Of those 34 days, ten were spent just waiting for document processing.
This downtime is considerable. Rethinking and digitizing the entire business process could save valuable time.
These are the largest exporters of avocados globally in 2023, in tons, according to WTO data:
- Mexico: 1.22 million.
- Peru: 598,500.
- Netherlands: 346,000.