Avocado demand has exploded worldwide, largely due to the fruit's much publicised health benefits. Israeli farmers are also set to strike it big from the fad, thanks to demand for the fruit in Europe. Israel has exported 100,000 tons of avocados so far in 2016, and is one of the only countries which exports to Europe in the winter, as South American grower countries export to Europe in the summer only.
The Israeli avocado is selling at between €2,500 and €2,600 a ton. They are selling in European supermarkets for €1 a piece. Only Israeli dates are sold in Europe for a higher price than avocados.
Israeli avocados are of the Haas variety and have a rougher skin, and make up approximately 30 percent of the European winter market. The ones who gain the most from this are the kibbutzim, who control 80% of the market share.
There are 70,000 dunams of avocado orchards. Avocado trees yield fruit only after three years.
Demand for the produce has resulted in more avocado orchards being planted in Israel, with the Granot fruit company planting an additional 5,000 dunams of trees. The company, which has until now only worked with kibbutzim, has expanded operations to work with its first Moshav—Sde Warburg—which has agreed to lease its land to the company.
Giora Marom, avocado manager for Granot, said that: "there are 80 million people in Germany, and there has been a 20% increase in avocado demand every year. This has been a really good year in terms of harvest and price. Another reason that the Israeli avocado is being sold at such a great price abroad is that we only export through two companies: Milpri which is part of the Milouot company, and Mehadrin which is part of Granot. Other produce, such as peppers, are exported by many different exporters. They are in constant competition with each other, which drives the prices down."
Source: ynetnews.com
