With an average harvest of around 87, 780 fruits from each hectare, hass avocados from Kenya have reversed the axis of avocado imports. Traditionally the crop used to sell mainly locally, but now imports are accounting for a growing margin that was 16 percent of the total production levels, in early 2017. Read on to learn why this demand has come to reflect on this waxy, purple-tinted variety over its other common cultivar, fuerte.
In Kenya, hass has a lower production margin in comparison with fuerte but it enjoys a high potential in the export market. By 2010, only a fifth of the total avocado that grew in the country were hass but this has increased marginally in 2017. The main areas where you can avail the variety includes Central Kenya and the slopes of Mount Kenya. Meru is one of the key sources of the fruit, while Murang’a and Nyeri represent the Central belt. Western regions of the country that shift the supply chain include Kisii.
Unlike fuerte, whose main export destinations are the UAE and other Gulf countries, hass enjoys an exclusive European market. The EU usually faces a shortage of the fruit through winter into May of each year, which provides a perfect opportunity for you to import from the tropics.The Center for the Promotion of Exports, Europe (CBI) details that the key consumer destinations include French, Spanish, German and British cities. Many times these markets source the fruit from the large reseller market in Holland.
Fruit Sizes in Hass Exports
Size parameters of Kenya hass conforms to international standards, though this can vary from one client request to another. The average size codes, in terms of grams acceptable internationally include sizes 1 to 30. There is only a difference of 25 grams weight between the smallest and the largest fruits, per box. Size 30 is the least with at least 80 grams minimum weight for hass. In the case of of fuerte, the minimum weight is usually higher, at 125 grams.
If you intend to get the average sizes 16 (266 grams) and 20 (210 grams), which most European consumers go for, you can avail them readily from Kenya. The fruits from the country are sizable because of the conducive altitude of 2000 meters, above sea level, which enhances proper fruit development.
Packaging Details
The packaging of hass avocados is a matter of deliberation between the client and the source. However, local fruits come generally in 4 kilo cardboard crates for local resale. For export, 10 kilogram plastic packets or cardboard packets are in general use. This ensures that once you receive the shipment you can repack it easily while the fruit is still in an unripened condition.
So, if you are in need of hass that has not yet turned purplish, be sure to check in as many of the fruits are available from March through July. They are also accessible from November through late February, the high season when Europe is experiencing winter. You can learn more about our other products including extra virgin avocado oil by visiting Mount Kenya Avocado Farms website.