Netherlands second largest avocado importer worldwide

© Hollandse Hoogte
Dutch imports of avocados reached record high levels in 2016 at a total value of 433 million euros. The Netherlands has become the second largest importer of avocados worldwide, after the United States. This is reported by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) based on additional analysis of recently released figures. Four out of every five avocados imported by the Netherlands are not intended for Dutch consumers but are exported to other countries.

Over a span of eight years, the import value of avocados has increased more than fourfold. No other important species of fruit showed a similar growth. Avocados now rank second after grapes. Banana imports also increased significantly, putting them in third place, followed by oranges and melons. Imports of apples, on the other hand, have fallen dramatically over the past eight years.

Most imported fruit species by import value
 20082016
Grapes592675
Avocados96433
Bananas161388
Oranges312323
Melons156224
Mangoes etc.114221
Apples342206
Mandarins107167
Lemons114160
Pineapples165155

Bulk of avocados destined for other countries

A major part (79 percent) of the imported avocados is not intended for the Dutch market but for other, mostly European countries. The remainder was intended for consumption in the Netherlands. Altogether 39 million kg of avocados were available for domestic consumption in 2016. This was 10 million kg in 2008. Imports for domestic consumption are at the highest level ever recorded.

Dutch imports of avocados by destination
 Imports for domestic marketImports for re-exports
20081048
20091760
20101872
20111871
20121778
20132590
201437107
201536109
201639146

Largest producer Mexico strongly US-oriented

By far the largest avocado producer in the world is Mexico. Nevertheless, the Netherlands imports more avocados from Peru, Chile and South Africa. Peru and Chile account for half of all Dutch avocado imports while Mexico primarily serves the US market. The US is the second largest consumer of avocados after Mexico.

Dutch imports of avocados by country of origin, 2016
 Value
Peru112
Chile105
South Africa53
Mexico38
Spain21
Kenya19
Israel18
Colombia18
Belgium11
Germany11
Other28

US top importer of avocados

Last year, the value of avocados imported by the United States was over three times the value of Dutch imports. The Netherlands is followed by France, the United Kingdom, Japan and Germany. Most avocados imported by Germany pass through the Netherlands. Other major destinations for Dutch transhipments include Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

Main importers of avocados worldwide, 2016
 Value
US1791
Netherlands565
France340
UK214
Japan190
Germany185
Spain177
Canada157
China68
Australia65