Within the US, Florida is the largest okra growing state, followed by California on a smaller scale. Florida usually enters the market in spring and product is available until late fall. At the time Florida wraps up, Honduras and Nicaragua start shipping okra to the US and other countries around the globe.Air freight
“The best quality okra is grown in Nicaragua,” says Emil Serafino with Exp. Group LLC. The country’s product is usually available as of November as it can’t start shipping until the rain season has ended. “Okra is a delicate vegetable item that should not be exposed to water after harvest,” mentioned Serafino. “To maximize shelf-life, okra from Nicaragua is flown into Miami by UPS planes. The short transit time results in excellent quality, but the product is more expensive due to freight costs. It is really a premium product,” added Serafino. At the moment, okra from Nicaragua runs at approximately $18 FOB Miami for a 7 kg. box. Mexico also ships high quality okra to the US, but mainly to the lower states.
Honduras is another big okra player during the US winter season. Opposite to Nicaragua, the country ships its product by container vessels. “This allows for the product to be sold at a lower price, but it is also of significantly lesser quality than its Nicaraguan counterpart,” declared Serafino.
For more information:
Emil Serafino
Exp. Group LLC
Tel: (+1) 201-662-2001