Israel's Avocado Exports Set to Break Records Amidst Northern War Challenges

Despite concerns over boycotts of Israeli produce, Israel's avocado exports are projected to reach a record high of approximately 170,000 tons this year, surpassing last year's 150,000 tons. A review by Galil Export indicates that the national avocado yield is expected to break another record in the 2026/27 season, reaching over 280,000 tons, up from 230,000 tons last year. Dark-skinned varieties, such as Hass, BL, and GEM, accounted for about 58% of Israel's total avocado exports. Green varieties, like Pinkerton and Ettinger, are primarily popular in Russia and Eastern Europe, while dark-skinned varieties are in high demand in Western Europe, particularly Germany, which imported around 44% of these last year, followed by the UK with 27%.

Amir Bachar, CEO of Avocado Gal in Kiryat Shmona, reported that his facility anticipates handling a record 18,000 tons of avocados from the Upper Galilee region this season, compared to 15,000 tons last year, despite the ongoing conflict on the northern border. Of this, 13,000 tons are designated for export, an increase from 11,300 tons previously. Bachar highlighted the challenges faced by his diverse workforce, including Druze, Bedouin, and local residents, some of whom were displaced or had to commute daily. He emphasized their commitment to working without interruption, noting that avocados are a highly profitable crop, especially for export, and are relatively easy to manage compared to fruits like peaches and apples.

The average Israeli consumes about 10 kilograms of avocados annually. Projections suggest a 50% increase in the volume of avocados handled by the Kiryat Shmona facility by 2030. Currently, the Upper Galilee has approximately 12,000 dunams of avocado orchards. Due to the economic success, avocado cultivation is expanding into areas previously avoided, such as the Hula Valley, due to concerns about frost protection. Kibbutz Dafna has also begun its avocado harvest, with plans to expand its 900 dunams of orchards to 1,000, focusing on export-oriented Hass, BL, and GEM varieties.

Farmers in the Hula Valley are shifting from traditional crops like apples, deciduous fruits, and citrus, which have faced challenges from climate, terrain, boycotts, and currency fluctuations. Areas with slight elevation advantages are proving more suitable for avocado cultivation. The Upper Galilee region is experiencing significant growth in avocado farming, attributed to dedicated and professional growers, some of whom have tragically lost their lives during the war.