Following meetings between the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and the Japanese government, a few days ago Israel received official approval from the Japanese authorities to export avocados to it.

The avocado is "green" inside and out: it grows throughout the country, massive development is in the south of the country and it protects "physically" open areas in the built-up density. Much of the harvest is grown with irrigation water and seats.

Following meetings and coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture's Audit and Plant Protection Services team and the Israeli Embassy and the Government of Japan, Israel received official approval from the Japanese authorities to export fresh "Haas" avocados from Israel to Japan. The Haas avocado ripens around November and the ministry hopes that farmers will be able to export to the new destination during the coming winter.

You will probably be surprised to learn that the Japanese, although inventors of sushi, do not usually eat it on a roll. Therefore, marketers focus on marketing in the family channel and also focus on the healthy qualities of the fruit. Japan's source of supply is primarily through Mexico, as well as countries such as Peru, Chile, the United States, and New Zealand. In recent years there has been a 4% increase in avocado imports to Japan. The potential Japanese market for Israel is very large, as a single unit of quality avocados also sells for around $ 3 per unit.

Israel is one of the leading avocado exporters in the Middle East! Around 80% of Israeli exports go to EU countries, Israeli avocado growers export to many countries including: Russia, England, France, Germany, South Africa and more. Avocado exports have had a general upward trend in recent years. This increase is due to increased consumption in export markets and expansion of growing areas in Israel. In the last decade, the amount of avocado exports has doubled. In 2019, Israel exported 69,000 tons of avocados, which accounted for about 55% of the harvest. In Israel, avocados are grown at about 120,000 dunams, and among the main varieties: Haas, Ettinger, Picarton, Reed, Galil and more. Its growth takes place in all regions of the country. The volume of avocado plantations increases from year to year using sediment water and used for irrigation. In recent years, about 10,000 dunams of young plantations have been added each year. Most of the avocado trees in Israel are trees of the "Haas" variety (which make up about 55%). The 15% Ettinger avocado harvest in Israel stands at about 125,000 tons of avocados, about 45% of them for local consumption and the rest for export.

Yaakov Poleg, Senior Vice President for International Trade and Cooperation at the Ministry of Agriculture: "This is real news for our excellent farmers and growers and an opportunity to expand Israel's fresh agricultural exports to Japan." Once the authorities in Japan are in convinced that they will take all measures to guarantee the avocado's release from the fly, the import will be approved.