Market-Intelligence-Report_Avocado-Issue-2-of-NAB-2024

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MARKET INTELLIGENCE REPORT 
AVOCADO 
 
 
 
 
ISSUE 2 OF 2024 
http://www.nab.com.na/
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
1. INTRODUCTION 
 
The avocado tree, scientifically known as Persea Americana, is known for its edible fruit and it belongs 
to the family of trees called Lauraceae. Avocado are native to the western hemisphere and they are 
widely grown in warm climatic conditions (Britannica, 2023). Avocados contain what is termed as ‘good 
fats’ (i.e. unsaturated fats), about 20 minerals and vitamins (i.e. potassium, magnesium, copper, vitamin 
E, vitamin K and vitamin C) and they are cholesterol-free (Avocados from Mexico, 2023). Additionally, 
avocado oil is valued by the cosmetic industry due to the presence of a natural sterol that has the same 
penetrating abilities as lanolin. It is used as a skin moisturizer, cleansing cream, makeup base, 
sunscreen, lipstick, bath oil, hair conditioner and as an input in the food industry (Rodríguez-Carpena et 
al., 2011). 
 
Commercial avocado production in Namibia is almost non-existent and in the 2021/22 production year, 
the country only produced 0.87 tons (N$10,407.66) of avocado fruits compared to an import of 755.90 
tons (N$14,490,904.09). This high import indicates that avocado is a high-value crop and therefore vital 
to the Namibian fruits consumption. This issue of the Market Intelligence report brings to the fore some 
highlights pertaining to avocado production, consumption and trade analysis on global, continental and 
domestic aspects. It further emphasises the opportunities that may exist for potential investment in 
avocado production in Namibia. 
 
2. GLOBAL OVERVIEW 
 
PRODUCTION: According to the FAOSTAT database (2024), the global production volume of avocadoes 
amounted to 39,819,656 tons over the 5 years from 2018 – 2022. This gives an average of 7,963,931 
tons of avocado production per year during the same period. The data also indicates an upward trend in 
avocado production during the same period (2018 – 2022) from the lowest production of 6,842,058 tons 
in 2018 to 8,978,275 tons in 2022 (Figure 1). 
 
 
 
 
2 
 
 
 
 
Figure 1: Global avocado production (2018 – 2022). Source: FAOSTAT (2024) 
As depicted in Figure 2, Mexico was the world’s top producer of avocado having produced 2,5 million 
tons in 2022 and therefore accounting for 28% of the world’s avocado production. Mexico is followed by 
Colombia with 1,0 million tons (12%) and thereafter Peru with 866 hundred thousand tons (10%) 
respectively. In the year 2022, at least 40% of the world’s avocado production totalling over 3,6 million 
tons was produced by Mexico and Colombia alone. 
 
Figure 2: Top global avocado-producing countries in 2022. Source: FAOSTAT (2024) 
 
In terms of overall production share per continent, Figure 3 indicates that 72% of the world’s avocado for 
2022 was produced by the Americas, followed by Africa with 14% and Asia with 11%. Europe produced 
2% and Oceania only produced 1% respectively. 
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Area planted (ha) 728,908 752,315 812,828 840,250 884,035
Production (tons) 6,842,058 7,219,430 8,209,609 8,570,284 8,978,275
Yield (t/ha) 9.39 9.60 10.10 10.20 10.16
8.80
9.00
9.20
9.40
9.60
9.80
10.00
10.20
10.40
 -
 1,000,000
 2,000,000
 3,000,000
 4,000,000
 5,000,000
 6,000,000
 7,000,000
 8,000,000
 9,000,000
 10,000,000
Y
ie
ld
 (
t/
h
a
)
P
ro
d
u
c
ti
o
n
 i
n
 t
o
n
s
Mexico Colombia Peru
Dominica
n
Republic
Kenya
Rest of
the world
Production (tons) 2,529,581 1,090,664 866,457 737,201 458,439 3,295,899
Area (ha) 234,821 110,183 70,545 39,581 27,806 401,097
 -
 50,000
 100,000
 150,000
 200,000
 250,000
 300,000
 350,000
 400,000
 450,000
0
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
3,500,000
A
re
a
 (
h
a
)
P
ro
d
u
c
ti
o
n
 (
to
n
s
)
 
 
 
 
3 
 
 
 
 
Figure 3: Avocado global production share in 2022. Source: FAOSTAT (2024) 
 
CONSUMPTION: Global avocado consumption is relatively dominating in the Americas whereby 63% of 
world consumption was consumed there in 2020. The second largest proportion of avocados was 
consumed in Asia (14%) followed by Africa with 11% respectively. The lowest consumption was recorded 
in Oceania whereby only 2% of the world’s avocado consumption was accounted for in that continent 
during the same period under review (Figure 4). 
 
Figure 4: Avocado consumption global share in 2020. Source: World Population Review (2024) 
 
In terms of yearly consumption trends, as illustrated in Figure 5, there has been an increase in avocado 
consumption over the years with a consumption growth from 5,8 million tons in 2018 to 7,1 million tons 
in 2020. 
14%
72%
11%
2% 1%
Avocado global production share
Africa Americas Asia Europe Oceania
11%
63%
14%
10%
2%
Africa Americas Asia Europe Oceania
 
 
 
 
4 
 
 
 
 
Figure 5: Global avocado consumption trend. Source: World Population Review (2024) 
As depicted in Figure 4, the largest avocado consumption was in the Americas as a continent. The 
specific country with the highest avocado consumption in the world is the United States of America (USA) 
having consumed over 1,2 million tons in 2020. The USA is followed by Mexico with 1,0 million tons, 
Colombia with 719 thousand and thereafter, Indonesia with 557 thousand tons during the same year. 
The Dominican Republic became the 5th most avocado-consuming country in 2020 with a total 
consumption of slightly over 500 thousand tons. Overall, in 2020, the USA and Mexico combined 
accounted for 31% of the world’s avocado consumption (Figure 6). 
 
Figure 6: Global avocado consumption trend. Source: World Population Review (2024) 
 
IMPORTS: A stable increase in global avocado import has been observed over the 5 years from 2018 to 
2022, whereby a 63% increase in import was recorded (International Trade Centre (ITC), 2024). A low 
import value of R 79,6 billion was recorded in 2018 with a record increase to R 129,9 billion being 
recorded four years later in 2022 (Figure 7). 
5,862,737 
6,217,637 
7,117,716 
 -
 1,000,000
 2,000,000
 3,000,000
 4,000,000
 5,000,000
 6,000,000
 7,000,000
 8,000,000
2018 2019 2020
C
o
n
s
u
m
p
ti
o
n
 (
to
n
s
)
1,172,089 
1,034,475 
719,023 
557,711 
508,012 
3,126,405 
 - 500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,000,000 2,500,000 3,000,000 3,500,000
United States
Mexico
Colombia
Indonesia
Dominican Republic
Rest of the world
Consumption (tons)
 
 
 
 
5 
 
 
 
 
Figure 7: Global avocado import trend in value (South African Rands/R). Source: ITC Trade Map (2024) 
In terms of country rankings, the USA tops the list, being the largest importer of avocadoes and it imported 
avocadoes to the value of R 55,4 billion in 2022. The USA is followed by the Netherlands with an import 
value of R 14,9 billion, France with R 8,7 billion and then Spain with R 6,7 billion respectively (Figure 8). 
 
Figure 8: Global top 10 avocado importing countries in 2022 by value (South African Rands/R). Source: 
ITC Trade Map (2024) 
 
EXPORTS: Avocado global exports have gradually increased over the years from R74,7 billion in 2018 
to R120,3 billion in 2022. The avocados global export value was R105 billion in 2020, and thereafter 
increased to R107,4 billion in 2021 respectively (Figure 9). 
79,618,533,000 
102,680,095,000 
118,839,376,000 122,003,960,000 
129,881,765,000 
 -
 20,000,000,000
 40,000,000,000
 60,000,000,00080,000,000,000
 100,000,000,000
 120,000,000,000
 140,000,000,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
V
a
lu
e
 (
R
)
55,361,588,000 
14,942,597,000 
8,723,433,000 
6,721,505,000 
6,046,973,000 
4,427,357,000 
4,273,820,000 
2,610,181,000 
1,857,742,000 
1,845,590,000 
 - 10,000,000,000 20,000,000,000 30,000,000,000 40,000,000,000 50,000,000,000 60,000,000,000
USA
Netherlands
France
Spain
Germany
Canada
United Kingdom
Japan
Russian Federation
Italy
Value (R)
 
 
 
 
6 
 
 
 
 
Figure 9: Global avocado export trend in value (South African Rands/R). Source: ITC Trade Map (2024) 
As illustrated in Figure 10, Mexico was the top avocado exporting country in the world during the year 
2022. It accounted for almost half of the world’s avocado exports with a value of R57,2 billion. Mexico is 
followed by the Netherlands with an export value of R14,6 billion and thereafter Peru with an export value 
of R14,6 billion during the same year. 
 
Figure 10: Global top 10 avocado exporting countries in 2022 by value (South African Rands/R). Source: 
ITC Trade Map (2024) 
 
Interestingly, whereas the US is the world’s largest avocado importer, it is also Mexico’s largest export 
market, responsible for consuming over 80% of Mexico’s avocados in 2022 (ITC, Trade Map 2024). 
74,713,138,000 
91,062,999,000 
105,032,858,000 107,388,109,000 
120,345,739,000 
 -
 20,000,000,000
 40,000,000,000
 60,000,000,000
 80,000,000,000
 100,000,000,000
 120,000,000,000
 140,000,000,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
V
a
lu
e
 (
R
)
57,241,292,000 
14,827,154,000 
14,645,759,000 
6,809,533,000 
3,486,956,000 
2,935,844,000 
2,451,829,000 
2,415,406,000 
2,111,934,000 
1,934,765,000 
 - 20,000,000,000 40,000,000,000 60,000,000,000 80,000,000,000
Mexico
Netherlands
Peru
Spain
Chile
Colombia
United States of America
Morocco
Kenya
South Africa
 
 
 
 
7 
 
 
 
Figure 11 highlights the top 5 avocados importing and exporting countries in the world during the year 
2022. 
 
Figure 11: Overview of global avocado trade by top countries in 2022 (South African Rands (R)): Source: 
ITC – Trademap (2023) 
PRICES: According to the FAOSTAT database, and as illustrated in Figure 12, global avocado prices 
have been on a fluctuating trend with the lowest price having been recorded in 2020 at US$1,599.91 
(N$30,334.29) and a peak was recorded in 2021 at US$1,742.32 (N$33,034.39). 
 
Figure 12: Global avocado prices (US$/ton): Source: FAOSTAT (2024) 
The downward trend is further observed in 2022 as the price dropped significantly by over 60% to 
R27.18/kg (R27,180/ton) in December 2022, from a peak of R84.82/kg (R84,820/ton) in June 2022 
(Figure 13). According to the ITC Market Information Map (2024), the avocado average price as of 
January 2023 stood at R18.96/kg (R18,960/ton) respectively. 
1,658.58 
1,599.91 
1,742.32 
1,553.46 
 1,450.00
 1,500.00
 1,550.00
 1,600.00
 1,650.00
 1,700.00
 1,750.00
 1,800.00
2019 2020 2021 2022
P
ri
c
e
 i
n
 U
S
$
/t
o
n
Top 5 Importers Top 5 Exporters 
USA - R55,4 million 
Netherlands - R14,9 million 
France - R8,7 million 
Spain - R6,7 million 
Germany - R6 million 
Mexico - R57,2 million 
Netherlands - R14,8 million 
Peru - R14,6 million 
Spain - R6,8 million 
Chile - R3,5 million 
 
 
 
 
 
8 
 
 
 
 
Figure 13: Global avocado price trend in 2022 (R/kg): Source: ITC Market Price Information map (2024) 
3. AFRICA AND SOUTHERN AFRICA PERSPECTIVE 
PRODUCTION: Avocado production in Africa has contributed an average of 13% (average 1,05 million 
tons) to the overall global production over the last 5-year period between 2018 and 2022. Production in 
Africa has also been on an increasing trend with the highest production of 1,2 million tons being recorded 
in 2022 from a low production of 882 thousand tons that was recorded in 2018. The yield has also 
increased from 7 tons/ha in 2018 to 8.1 tons/ha in 2022 (Figure 14). 
 
Figure 14: Avocado production trend in Africa. Source: FAOSTAT (2024) 
 
The majority of the 13% avocadoes produced in Africa is mostly concentrated or produced in Kenya 
whereby the country was responsible for 38% (458,439 tons) of Africa’s avocado production in 2022. 
57.41 
65.58 64.90 
73.45 
82.08 
84.82 
70.12 
59.31 
51.44 50.23 
31.20 
27.18 
 -
 10.00
 20.00
 30.00
 40.00
 50.00
 60.00
 70.00
 80.00
 90.00
Jan-22 Feb-22 Mar-22 Apr-22 May-22 Jun-22 Jul-22 Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22
A
v
e
ra
g
e
 p
ri
c
e
 (
R
/k
g
)
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Area planted (ha) 126,076 125,594 141,346 142,185 150,315
Production (tons) 882,447 891,920 1,109,475 1,163,352 1,218,386
Yield (t/ha) 7.0 7.1 7.8 8.2 8.1
 6.4
 6.6
 6.8
 7.0
 7.2
 7.4
 7.6
 7.8
 8.0
 8.2
 8.4
 -
 200,000
 400,000
 600,000
 800,000
 1,000,000
 1,200,000
 1,400,000
 
 
 
 
9 
 
 
 
The second largest avocado producer in Africa in 2022 was Ethiopia whereby 14% (167,884 tons) was 
produced. Ethiopia is followed by South Africa with a total production of 103,602 tons (9%) (Figure 15). 
 
Figure 15: Top 5 avocado producers in Africa in 2022. Source: FAOSTAT (2024) 
Avocado production in Southern Africa was only officially recorded in South Africa and Eswatini. There 
are no official records from other Southern African countries such as Namibia, Botswana and Lesotho. 
The two Southern African countries (South Africa and Eswatini) contributed 8.6% (104,476 tons) of 
avocados produced in Africa. As illustrated in Figure 16, the avocado production trend in Southern Africa 
has been unstable with a high production of 128,453 tons recorded in 2018 and a significant drop to 
83,554 tons in 2021 before another slight increase to 104,476 tons in 2022. 
 
Figure 16: Avocado production in Southern Africa. Source: FAOSTAT (2024) 
As stated above, South Africa and Eswatini were responsible for the overall avocados produced in 
Southern Africa in 2022 as there are no official records from other member countries. South Africa 
produced 103,602 tons of avocado in 2022 whilst Eswatini produced 874 tons respectively (Figure 17). 
Kenya Ethiopia South Africa Morocco Malawi
Rest of
Africa
Production (tons) 458,439 167,884 103,602 98,720 94,096 295,646
Area (ha) 27,806 28,759 20,639 9,608 18,127 45,377
Yield (t/ha) 16.5 5.8 5.0 10.3 5.2 6.5
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
18.0
 -
 50,000
 100,000
 150,000
 200,000
 250,000
 300,000
 350,000
 400,000
 450,000
 500,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
 Production (tons) 128,453 84,494 85,650 83,554 104,476
Area (ha) 25,486 16,694 16,807 16,504 20,783
Yield (t/ha) 5.0 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.0
 5.0
 5.0
 5.0
 5.0
 5.1
 5.1
 5.1
 5.1
 -
 20,000
 40,000
 60,000
 80,000
 100,000
 120,000
 140,000
 
 
 
 
10 
 
 
 
 
Figure 17: Top avocado producers in Southern Africa in 2022. Source: FAOSTAT (2024) 
CONSUMPTION: As is the case for global consumption, avocado consumption in Africa has also been 
on an increasing trend. This is illustrated in Figure 18 whereby a consumption of 811,499 tons was 
recorded in 2020, an increase from 580,471 tons in 2018 and 634,505 tons in 2019 respectively. The 
same figure also illustrates an increase in avocado consumption by Southern African countries from 
30,926 tons in 2018 to 45,869 tons in 2020. 
 
Figure 18: Avocado consumption trend in Africa and Southern Africa. Source: World Population Review 
(2024) 
Out of the total 811,499 tons of avocadoes consumed in Africa in 2020, more than half (54%) of this was 
consumed by Ethiopia (28%) and Kenya (27%) alone. Significant consumption ranging between 6% and 
11% was also recorded by Malawi, Cameroon and the DR Congo. The rest of African countries 
(consisting of 27 countries) consumed about 20% of the avocados consumed in Africa (Figure 19). 
South Africa Eswatini
Production (tons) 103,602 874
Area(ha) 20,639 144
Yield (t/ha) 5.0 6.1
 -
 1.0
 2.0
 3.0
 4.0
 5.0
 6.0
 7.0
 -
 20,000
 40,000
 60,000
 80,000
 100,000
 120,000
580,471 
634,505 
811,499 
30,926 36,537 45,869 
 -
 100,000
 200,000
 300,000
 400,000
 500,000
 600,000
 700,000
 800,000
 900,000
2018 2019 2020
C
o
n
s
u
m
p
ti
o
n
 (
to
n
s
)
Africa Southern Africa
 
 
 
 
11 
 
 
 
 
Figure 19: Top avocado-consuming countries in Africa during 2020: Source: World Population Review 
(2024) 
In terms of avocado consumption in Southern Africa, South Africa alone is responsible for 95.2% of the 
consumption which is equivalent to 35,953 tons per year based on a 3-year average from 2018 – 2020. 
During the same period, Namibia consumed the second highest quantity of 849 tons (2.2%), followed by 
Botswana with 520 tons (1.4%), Eswatini with 357 tons (0.9%) and lastly Lesotho with 99 tons (0.3%). 
 
Figure 20: Avocado average consumption in Southern Africa – 3-year average (2018 – 2020). 
Source: World Population Review (2024) 
 
IMPORTS: A higher record of avocado imports into Africa was recorded in 2021, whereby avocados 
valued at R382,846,000 were imported. This was, however, followed by a slight reduction to 
R382,050,000 in 2022 respectively. For Southern Africa, a fluctuating import trend was also recorded 
between 2018 and 2022 whereby a lowest import value of R86,888,000 was recorded in 2019 whilst a 
high import value of R126,627,000 was recorded in 2020 (Figure 21). It should be noted that the figures 
224,705 
217,044 
85,785 
68,657 
52,138 
163,171 
 -
 50,000
 100,000
 150,000
 200,000
 250,000
Ethiopia Kenya Malawi Cameroon DR Congo Rest of Africa
C
o
n
s
u
m
p
ti
o
n
 (
to
n
s
)
35,953 
520 849 99 357 
 -
 5,000
 10,000
 15,000
 20,000
 25,000
 30,000
 35,000
 40,000
South Africa Botswana Namibia Lesotho Eswatini
C
o
n
s
u
m
p
ti
o
n
 (
to
n
s
)
 
 
 
 
12 
 
 
 
for Southern Africa displayed below are included in the overall figures for Africa which, however, makes 
up less than 35% on average per year. 
 
Figure 21: Avocado import trend in Africa vs Southern Africa. Source: ITC, Trade Map (2024) 
As of 2022, Egypt was the largest avocado importer, having imported avocadoes to the value of 
R154,913,000 during the same year. Egypt is followed by Morocco and South Africa with an import value 
of R77,661,000 and R53,275,000 respectively. Like in many other commodities, South Africa remains 
the largest importer of avocados in Southern Africa, followed by Namibia which imported avocados to the 
value of R20,816,000 in 2022 according to ITC (2024) (Figure 22). 
 
Figure 22: Top avocado importers in Africa. Source: ITC, Trade Map (2024) 
 
Southern Africa was responsible for 24% (R 92,974,000) of Africa’s avocado imports in 2022 of which 
over 50% (R53,275,000) of this was imported by South Africa. Namibia imported 22% (R20,816,000) of 
273,489,000 
247,168,000 
313,026,000 
382,846,000 382,050,000 
108,858,000 
86,888,000 
126,627,000 114,131,000 
92,974,000 
 -
 50,000,000
 100,000,000
 150,000,000
 200,000,000
 250,000,000
 300,000,000
 350,000,000
 400,000,000
 450,000,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
V
a
lu
e
 (
R
)
Africa Southern Africa
154,913,000 
77,661,000 
53,275,000 
20,816,000 
15,329,000 
11,939,000 
7,501,000 
5,503,000 
5,339,000 
4,307,000 
 - 50,000,000 100,000,000 150,000,000 200,000,000
Egypt
Morocco
South Africa
Namibia
Botswana
Somalia
Mauritius
Libya
Mali
Tunisia
Value (R)
 
 
 
 
13 
 
 
 
Southern Africa’s avocados followed by Botswana with 16% (R 15,329,000). Eswatini imported the least 
avocados in the region valued at R1,687,000 (Figure 23). 
 
Figure 23: Avocado imports in Southern Africa (SACU). Source: ITC, Trade Map (2024) 
EXPORTS: Avocado exports for Africa have been on an upward trend since 2020, recording an increase 
from R5,2 billion in 2020 to R7 billion in 2022. A similar trend is observed in Southern Africa’s avocado 
export with an increase from R1,3 billion being recorded in 2020 to R1,9 billion as recorded in 2022 
(Figure 24). 
 
Figure 24: Avocado import trend in Africa vs Southern Africa Source: ITC, Trade Map (2024) 
In terms of avocado exports from Africa and as illustrated in Figure 25, Morocco and Kenya are 
responsible for the largest exports accounting for 34% (R2,4 billion) and 30% (2,1 billion) in 2022 
53,275,000 
20,816,000 
15,329,000 
1,867,000 
1,687,000 
 - 10,000,000 20,000,000 30,000,000 40,000,000 50,000,000 60,000,000
South Africa
Namibia
Botswana
Lesotho
Eswatini
Value (R)
4,012,158,000 
3,474,760,000 
5,196,416,000 5,343,133,000 
7,038,570,000 
1,538,000,000 
1,034,109,000 
1,265,268,000 
1,640,584,000 
1,942,511,000 
 -
 1,000,000,000
 2,000,000,000
 3,000,000,000
 4,000,000,000
 5,000,000,000
 6,000,000,000
 7,000,000,000
 8,000,000,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
V
a
lu
e
 (
R
)
 Africa Southern Africa
 
 
 
 
14 
 
 
 
respectively. South Africa is the 3rd largest avocado exporter having exported R1,9 billion worth of 
avocadoes in 2022. Other African countries such as Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Mozambique are 
also responsible for some significant avocado exports ranging between R28 million and R343 million 
respectively. 
 
Figure 25: Top avocado exporters in Africa. Source: ITC, Trade Map (2024) 
As indicated in Figure 26, South Africa exported 99% of Southern Africa’s avocados to the value of R1,9 
billion in 2022. An export value of R7,7 million was also recorded by Eswatini during the same year whilst 
the smallest value of R16 thousand was exported by Botswana. 
 
Figure 26: Avocado exports in Southern Africa (SACU). Source: ITC, Trade Map (2024) 
 
PRICES: The average prices of avocados in Africa have been on a declining trend from US$790.15 
(N$15,281.50) per ton in 2019 to US$780.30 (N$15,091.00) respectively. The lowest avocado price was 
recorded in 2021 at US571.23 (N$11,047.59) per ton (Figure 27). 
2,415,406,000 
2,111,934,000 
1,934,765,000 
343,858,000 
77,645,000 
45,005,000 
28,038,000 
21,307,000 
18,539,000 
13,479,000 
 - 500,000,000 1,000,000,000 1,500,000,000 2,000,000,000 2,500,000,000 3,000,000,000
Morocco
Kenya
South Africa
Tanzania
Rwanda
Zimbabwe
Mozambique
Uganda
Ethiopia
Côte d'Ivoire
Value (R)
1,934,765,000 
7,730,000 
16,000 
 - 500,000,000 1,000,000,000 1,500,000,000 2,000,000,000 2,500,000,000
South Africa
Eswatini
Botswana
Value (R)
 
 
 
 
15 
 
 
 
 
Figure 27: Average avocado prices in Africa. Source: FAOSTAT (2024) 
Conversion date 26.02.2024 
Avocado prices in Southern Africa are based on South Africa which is the largest producer, consumer 
and trader (exporter and importer) in the region. As indicated in Figure 28 below, a high price peak of 
N$20,929.75/ton was recorded in 2021 before dropping down to N$15,288.27/ton in 2022 respectively. 
 
Figure 28: Average avocado prices in Southern Africa. Source: FAOSTAT (2024) 
Conversion date 26.02.2024 
4. DOMESTIC (NAMIBIA) OUTLOOK 
PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION: Currently, Namibia lacks reliable data in terms of avocado 
production as there are no official records on most international databases. A study by the NAB (2022) 
revealed that Namibia has at least 201 avocado trees located mostly in the Kavango and Karst production 
zones. 
2019 2020 2021 2022
Price in US$/ton 790.15 796.55 571.23 780.30
Price in N$/ton 15,281.50 15,405.28 11,047.59 15,091.00
 -
 100.00
 200.00
 300.00
 400.00
 500.00
 600.00
 700.00
 800.00
 900.00
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 8,000.00
 10,000.00
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 14,000.00
 16,000.00
 18,000.00
17,518.17 17,046.28 
20,929.75 
15,288.27 
 -
 5,000.00
 10,000.00
 15,000.00
 20,000.00
 25,000.00
2019 2020 2021 2022
P
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n
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$
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16 
 
 
 
The study further revealed that over 1,200avocado seedlings are being imported into the country every 
year. The study unfortunately did not further determine the level of production in terms of yield quantity 
and thus the country has no official records for avocado production. 
Consumption, however, is eminently proven by the high imports of avocados as presented herein in this 
report. According to the data by the Namibian Agronomic Board (2024) presented in Figure 29 below, 
Namibia’s avocado consumption increased from 756.9 tons consumed during the financial year 2021/22 
to 889.5 tons consumed in the financial year 2022/23. This consumption is mostly dominated by imports 
as local production accounts for less than one ton for each financial year (starting from April to March). 
 
Figure 29: Avocado consumption trend in Namibia, 2021/22 – 2022/23 financial year. Source: NAB 
(2024) 
TRADE ANALYSIS (IMPORTS AND EXPORTS): A 100% of Namibia’s avocado imports in 2021/22 and 
2022/23 were from South Africa. As indicated in Table 1, Namibia imported 756 tons of avocadoes 
valued at N$14,5 million in 2021/22 and this figure substantially increased to 889 tons valued at N$16,4 
million in 2022/23 respectively. 
Table 1: Namibia avocado imports analysis for the 2021/22 – 2022/23 financial year 
Import quantity (Tons) Import Value (N$) 
2021/22 756 14,490,904.00 
2022/23 889 16,354,842.60 
Source: NAB, (2024). 
Namibia did not record any exports for avocados. However, there was about less than a ton of avocadoes 
sold by local producers valued at less than N$10,000 in 2021/22 and 2022/23 accordingly (NAB, 2024). 
PRICES: Based on the imported figures, the import price of avocados fluctuated between N$11.93 per 
kg (N$11,929.07 per ton) in 2021/22 and N$9,79 (N$9,791.67 per ton) (NAB, 2024). 
756.9 
889.5 
 650.0
 700.0
 750.0
 800.0
 850.0
 900.0
2021/22 2022/23
C
o
n
s
u
m
p
ti
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n
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17 
 
 
 
 
Figure 30: Avocado price trend in Namibia for the 2021/22 – 2022/23 financial year. Source: NAB (2024) 
 
5. KEY POTENTIALS 
 
As highlighted in this Market Intelligence report, global avocado production has been on a rising trend, 
however, this has mostly been concentrated in South and North America which were responsible for over 
70% of the global production. Interestingly, the Americas are also responsible for about 63% of global 
avocado consumption. Africa’s avocado production is highly concentrated in the eastern part of Africa 
with Kenya and Ethiopia being the top producers. As reviewed in this report, Namibia does not produce 
avocadoes for commercial purposes and it largely imports avocadoes to satisfy the growing local 
demand. The country, therefore, has the potential to produce avocadoes for the local market and produce 
over 800 tons of avocadoes that it imports valued at over N$16 million. This can be the green skin 
varieties such as Hass and Fuerte which are currently the most common varieties imported. Alternatively, 
other varieties such as Pinkerton, Lamb Hass and Reed can also be explored as they are less vulnerable 
to heat. 
Avocadoes mostly prefer a sub-tropical climate which may be the climatic condition that is rarely 
experienced in Namibia. This is usually a zone of climate characterised by hot and humid summers, and 
cool to mild winters. This type of climate in Namibia mostly lies along the Kavango and Zambezi 
production zones and these zones can potentially be ideal for commercial avocado production in Namibia 
(Info Namibia, 2024). The fruit study by the NAB in 2022 also revealed that the majority of the avocado 
trees found in Namibia are located in the Kavango production zone, therefore, proving suitability and 
potential for commercial expansion. 
Local farmers are, therefore, encouraged to tap into avocado production to supply the local market and 
counter the current high avocado import especially those in areas suitable for avocado production as 
11.93 
9.79 
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2021/22 2022/23
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18 
 
 
 
mentioned above. They are further encouraged to work closely with government institutions for support 
such as the NAB which continues to monitor the fruit industry and is committed to developing the fruit 
industry through strategies that are of benefit to all key value chain actors. Local farmers may also have 
an opportunity to explore export markets in Southern African countries such as South Africa, Botswana, 
Lesotho and Eswatini which also have avocado import records. There are many existing trade 
agreements and established export channels through which avocadoes can be added and explored for 
export. 
6. REFERENCES 
 
avocadosfrommexico, 2023. Avocado nutrition home. https://avocadosfrommexico.com/avocado-
nutrition/ 
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "avocado". Encyclopedia Britannica, .2023, 
https://www.britannica.com/plant/avocado. 
FAOSTAT. 2024. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFN/visualize 
Info Namibia. 2024. Climate and Weather of Namibia. https://www.info-namibia.com/info/namibia-
weather#:~:text=The%20Caprivi%20Strip%20(and%20also,the%20greenest%20in%20the%20country. 
International Trade Centre (ITC). 2023. Trademap. https://www.trademap.org/Index.aspx 
International Trade Centre (ITC). 2024. Market Price Information. 
https://mpi.intracen.org/prices?sector=5&product=3&originCountry=-1&destinationCountry=-1&variety=-
2&international=-2&sizing=-2&packaging=-2&certification=-2&quality=-2&subvariety=-
2&priceTypeDisplay=-3&currency=ZAR&refUnit=1&dateFrom=2022-01-06&dateTo=2023-01-06 
Namibian Agronomic Agronomic Board. 2022. Baseline study regarding the status quo of fruit production 
in Namibia. https://www.nab.com.na/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Baseline-study-regarding-the-status-
of-fruits-production-in-Namibia-20221205-1.pdf 
Namibian Agronomic Board. 2024. Horticulture statistics 
World Population Review. 2024. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/avocado-
consumption-by-country 
 
 
 
 
https://avocadosfrommexico.com/avocado-nutrition/
https://avocadosfrommexico.com/avocado-nutrition/
https://www.britannica.com/plant/avocado.
https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFN/visualize
https://www.info-namibia.com/info/namibia-weather#:~:text=The%20Caprivi%20Strip%20(and%20also,the%20greenest%20in%20the%20country
https://www.info-namibia.com/info/namibia-weather#:~:text=The%20Caprivi%20Strip%20(and%20also,the%20greenest%20in%20the%20country
https://www.trademap.org/Index.aspx
https://mpi.intracen.org/prices?sector=5&product=3&originCountry=-1&destinationCountry=-1&variety=-2&international=-2&sizing=-2&packaging=-2&certification=-2&quality=-2&subvariety=-2&priceTypeDisplay=-3&currency=ZAR&refUnit=1&dateFrom=2022-01-06&dateTo=2023-01-06
https://mpi.intracen.org/prices?sector=5&product=3&originCountry=-1&destinationCountry=-1&variety=-2&international=-2&sizing=-2&packaging=-2&certification=-2&quality=-2&subvariety=-2&priceTypeDisplay=-3&currency=ZAR&refUnit=1&dateFrom=2022-01-06&dateTo=2023-01-06
https://mpi.intracen.org/prices?sector=5&product=3&originCountry=-1&destinationCountry=-1&variety=-2&international=-2&sizing=-2&packaging=-2&certification=-2&quality=-2&subvariety=-2&priceTypeDisplay=-3&currency=ZAR&refUnit=1&dateFrom=2022-01-06&dateTo=2023-01-06
https://www.nab.com.na/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Baseline-study-regarding-the-status-of-fruits-production-in-Namibia-20221205-1.pdf
https://www.nab.com.na/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Baseline-study-regarding-the-status-of-fruits-production-in-Namibia-20221205-1.pdf
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/avocado-consumption-by-country
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/avocado-consumption-by-country
 
 
 
 
19 
 
 
 
PUBLISHED BY: 
Namibian Agronomic Board 
Agronomy and Horticulture Market Development Division 
Research and Policy Development Subdivision 
Address: PO Box 5096,Windhoek 
Tel: 061 379 500 
Website: www.nab.com.na 
 
 
 
DISCLAIMER 
Information contained in this document results from desktop research conducted wholly by the Namibian 
Agronomic Board (NAB) for information purposes and in good faith. Opinions, attitudes, and points of 
view expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the NAB. The NAB 
makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the 
contents of this document, and the author(s) or NAB, therefore, accepts no liability for losses incurred 
resulting from the use of this information. Any reference made to a specific product, process, or service 
by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or other commercial commodity or entity is for information 
purposes only and does not imply approval, endorsement, or favouring by the NAB. 
http://www.nab.com.na/