Avocados from Myanmar trialed in the United Kingdom

FreshPro Imports, UK importer of fresh fruit, salad and vegetables, has entered an exclusive agreement with the Myanmar Avocado Producers and Exporters Association (MAVO) with the assistance of the British Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar to test and develop avocados grown and exported on the UK market from Myanmar.

Chris Fagg from Freshpro shared that they have already received a small shipment of air cargo and are currently assessing this consignment in order to sample various sectors of the industry in the coming days. "First impressions of the avocado arrival are promising. We have also delivered samples to the Myanmar Embassy in London who were very keen to see the first arrivals from Myanmar into the UK. The first arrivals consisted of Hass, Buccaneer and Amara varieties, he added.

Backbone of Myanmar's economy is based on the agricultural sector, which contributing for 37.8% of gross domestic product (GDP) and 25 to 30% of total export earnings. It employs 70 percent of the workforce in Myanmar.

The main season for avocados in Myanmar is October to February - March; currently it is sold domestically and exported to China. Growers strive to gain the appropriate certificates in order to be able to export their products to the United Kingdom.

According to Fagg, first they have to do some trials to make sure that shelf life etc. will be good. The company think Amara variety has good prospects as it has a profile similar to the Hass in size and shape. In their opinion, there are also other varieties, which may fit other windows during import season.

FreshPro Imports imports fresh fruits, salads and vegetables using a lean and direct model to reduce any unnecessary costs. All of the company's produce supplied with full accreditation from established sources through an efficient supply chain. FreshPro Imports' extensive customer base enables them to sell all types of produce from retail to food service and wholesale network.

More information about the company can be found on their website.