
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.
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
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%).
Advantages
The following countries posted the highest positive net exports for avocados during 2020. Investopedia defines net exports as the value of a country’s total exports minus the value of its total imports. Thus, the statistics below present the surplus between the value of each country’s exported avocados and its import purchases for that same commodity.
- Mexico: US$2.7 billion (net export surplus down -5.7% since 2019)
- Peru: $759 million (up 1%)
- Chile: $174.6 million (down -35.9%)
- Kenya: $169.2 million (up 65.2%)
- Colombia: $146 million (up 63.9%)
- New Zealand: $115.3 million (up 65.8%)
- Morocco: $103.2 million (up 121.9%)
- Dominican Republic: $95.2 million (up 55.2%)
- South Africa: $71.5 million (up 6.5%)
- Israel: $59.9 million (down -18%)
- Spain: $53.6 million (up 23.6%)
- Netherlands: $29.9 million (down -56.5%)
- Tanzania: $21.9 million (up 2.8%)
- Brazil: $12.3 million (down -31%)
- Guatemala: $3.2 million (down -16.6%)
Mexico has the highest surplus in the international trade of avocados. In turn, this positive cashflow confirms strong Mexican competitive advantages for this specific product category.
Opportunities
The following countries posted the highest negative net exports for avocados during 2020. Investopedia defines net exports as the value of a country’s total exports minus the value of its total imports. Thus, the statistics below present the deficit between the value of each country’s imported avocados purchases and its exports for that same commodity.
- United States: -US$2.4 billion (net export deficit down -12.3% since 2019)
- France: -$427.7 million (down -0.2%)
- United Kingdom: -$321 million (down -1.9%)
- Germany: -$318.8 million (up 5.3%)
- Canada: -$234.6 million (down -1.3%)
- Japan: -$224.1 million (down -6.5%)
- Russia: -$121.5 million (up 33.6%)
- Australia: -$95.3 million (up 184.1%)
- Italy: -$76.9 million (up 8.9%)
- China: -$71.5 million (down -22.6%)
- Switzerland: -$69.9 million (up 12.1%)
- Norway: -$67.7 million (up 4.4%)
- Poland: -$65.5 million (up 6.1%)
- Sweden: -$64.8 million (up 0.1%)
- Denmark: -$59.3 million (up 4.1%)
The United States of America incurred the highest deficit in the international trade of avocados. In turn, this negative cashflow highlights America’s competitive disadvantage for this specific product category but also signals opportunities for avocados-supplying countries that help satisfy the powerful consumer demand.
Culinary
Avocados-based Foods and Drinks
Avocados are not typically eaten raw. Rather, avocados are used as supplementary ingredients in many dishes, condiments, sauces and beverages. Below, you will find examples of avocado-based culinary foods and drinks.
- avocado bread
- avocado cake
- avocado cooking oil
- avocado cream sauce
- avocado fries
- avocado margarita
- avocado milk coffee drink
- avocado soup
- deep-fried avocado
- féroce d’avocat tangy spread
- guacamole dip or salad dressing
- guasacaca avocado-based sauce
- mashed avocado on toast
See also Bananas Exports by Country, Grapes Exports by Country and Apples Exports by Country
Research Sources:
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook Field Listing: Exports – Commodities. Accessed on June 29, 2021
Forbes Global 2000 rankings, The World’s Biggest Public Companies. Accessed on June 29, 2021
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on June 29, 2021
Investopedia, Net Exports Definition. Accessed on June 29, 2021
Wikipedia, Avocado. Accessed on June 29, 2021
Wikipedia, List of avocado dishes. Accessed on June 29, 2021