Rwanda's avocado season will continue until April, with peaks in volumes between the end of December and end of March. The peak in exports coincides with the crisis in the Red Sea, which concerns exporters.
Seun Rasheed, CEO of SOUK Farms, told FreshPlaza, "A major game-changing development in Rwanda's avocado sector is the fact that we've started shipping by sea instead of by air. This happened very recently, when Rwanda became an emerging country in the production and export of this fruit. However, this year we had to contend with the crisis in the Red Sea, which lengthened our delivery times."
Rwandan exporters are hoping for a swift end to the crisis at Bab Al Mandab strait, to take advantage of growing demand. Seun says, "We currently have solid demand in the Middle East region, our main market, and growing demand from Europe. We're in full swing and enjoying positive feedback from our customers who are placing new orders. As a winter producer for Avocados we have a seasonality and pricing advantage that appeals to many markets at this time of year."
Prices for Rwandan avocados are currently around 2.50-3.10 USD per kilo of Hass avocado, CAF Dubai, according to Seun. "A satisfactory price for us, and very competitive compared to other origins."
On the development of the avocado industry in Rwanda, a recent trend in the country, Seun gives estimates: "Last season, from October 2022 to April 2023, Rwanda exported over 3,500 tons of avocados. This season, we're expecting an exceptional performance with over 5,000 tons, worth over $10 million, and 40% more exported volumes than last season. Next season, we expect to export over 7,000 tonnes. The main varieties are Hass, which accounts for the majority of production, followed by Fuerte. These results reward a major planting effort of over 500,000 trees a year, in an industry involving more than 6,000 small-scale farmers. Our main current market is the Middle East, but now that we have technically proven the sea freight option, we expect a significant increase in volumes to Europe from this season onwards."
SOUK Farms will be exhibiting at the Fruit Logistica trade show, in Hall 26, stand F-85, "with plenty of samples and enthusiasm to meet potential customers," concludes Seun.
For more information:
Seun Rasheed
SOUK Farms
Tel: +250738306725
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
www.souk-ig.com