Israeli company Agrexco, Israel's foremost agricultural exporter, confirmed last week its plans to increase export of avocados from Israel this year by around 50% to 50,000 tons.



According to a statement, the group shipped more than 22,000 tons out of a total 32,000 tons of avocados exported from Israel last season, with revenues of some €47m.



This season, around 70% of the country's total export crop will be exported by Agrexco, with new-season revenues expected to be around €70m.



Israel is the only producer of "green" avocados – a special variety of avocados which are environmentally friendly.



Agrexco Managing Director, Shlomo Tirosh, said that 90% of global avocado trade was of the Haas species, which has a black peel. Tirosh added that Israel was also the world leader in avocados from the green variety, which stay green also after they ripen.



"We export seven or eight different varieties of green avocados, compared with other countries that have only one or two varieties. Adding to that, our avocado is pesticide free, and therefore is green on all accounts.”



The company is reportedly preparing to launch a new campaign this week which will focus on the fruit's nutritional and health values, citing information published by the US Department of Health which recommends adding avocado to the daily diet.



Gabi Naamani, Avocado Product Manager in Agrexco, pointed out that Agrexco is the largest sole exporter, providing 25% of the demand in the 6 to 7 months considered high season. Export season begins in October and ends in May with the Ettinger variety to be followed by Pinkerton, Fuerte, Ardith, Nabal, Reed and Hass, the latter comprising one third of the exported volume.



Agrexco runs more than 70% of the Israeli Avocado Export, and is aiming to distribute the avocado all over Europe as well as to far destinations like Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand, placing special attention for the specific requirements of its clients, including the leading organizations and supermarket chains.