India's Avocado Boom: From 'Dog Fruit' to High‑Demand Exporter
In 2023, India imported 3,000 tonnes of avocados from Mexico, a 45% rise over 2022. The fruit, once dubbed the 'dog fruit' in local markets, is now a staple in urban diets. The surge reflects a broader shift toward health‑conscious eating in the country. As cities grow, so does the appetite for nutrient‑rich foods, positioning avocado as a key player in India’s agri‑economy.
What Happened: Growing Acreage and Rising Imports
The National Agricultural Statistics Office (NASO) recorded that farmers in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district increased avocado acreage from 200 hectares in 2022 to 350 hectares in 2023. In Karnataka, the state’s Ministry of Agriculture reported a similar uptick, with 280 hectares planted in 2023 versus 180 hectares the year before. Import data from the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) shows that Mexican avocados accounted for 2,800 of the 3,000 tonnes imported, with Peru contributing the remaining 200 tonnes. One notable farm in Kolhapur produced 500 kg of avocados in a single harvest, a yield that exceeds the state average of 300 kg. The rise in domestic production has been matched by a 30% increase in retail prices, from ₹200 per kilogram in
Despite being called the "dog fruit" in some Indian markets, avocados contain more potassium per 100 g than bananas, a fact that surprised many nutritionists.
