2021 Avocado Update
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Avocado popularity continues to grow globally
Avocado popularity has grown consistently year on year since 2012, and the global market for avocados is expected to reach $21.56bn by 2026. The consumption of avocados in Europe during 2019-20 was 73% higher than in 2015-2016. The United Kingdom alone imported 116,000 tonnes of avocados in 2019. With a seemingly insatiable demand perpetuated by social media, the versatile avocado is here to stay as a staple used in recipes, kitchens and menus throughout the world.
Health benefits of avocado
Avocado has become a staple fruit over recent years, with an abundance of heart-healthy unsaturated fatty acids and a high nutritional value. Benefitting from substantial quantities of Vitamin K, C, B5, B6 and E, folate and potassium, the avocado has a broad appeal from the health-conscious to vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians. Several studies have demonstrated the health benefits of avocado, ranging from lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels to supporting eye health and relieving arthritis symptoms.
Avocado: A fresh challenge
A distinct disadvantage of fresh avocado is its short shelf-life once ripened. When bought unripened, avocados can't be used immediately, creating inconvenience for both food manufacturers and the end consumer. Avocados can take up to 7 days to ripen and only last 2-3 days once ripened, even when refrigerated.
Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) avocado combines all of the benefits of a fresh avocado with the added convenience and extended shelf life of a frozen product. At Uren, we source the highest quality avocados from our supplier in Peru, a country which for 11.6% of global avocado exportations. Once selected for harvest, the avocados are classified by maturity before being washed and disinfected. The avocado is then left to reach optimum ripeness, is cleaned and disinfected again, pitted, peeled, cut to size and individually quick frozen. The freezing process is performed rapidly at astonishingly low temperatures to prevent ice crystals from forming on the surface of the avocado. The resultant IQF avocado remains free-flowing; ideal for any products where identifiable avocado pieces are required.
IQF Avocado applications
Applications for IQF avocado extend past the perfect smoothie or guacamole. Used in everything from Sushi to ready meals, IQF avocado offers a convenient and cost-effective alternative to fresh avocado.
Here are a few alternative IQF avocado applications:
- Pre-packaged sandwiches, wraps and salads
- Sauces and condiments - avocado oil, guacamole and dressing
- Health food products
- Packaged snacks
- Vegan and vegetarian products/substitutes
- Meal preparation boxes
- Desserts, ice cream, yoghurts and mousse.
Learn more
Our New Product Development team can work with you to incorporate ingredients such as IQF avocado and are on-hand to advise on bespoke requirements. For further information or to learn more, please contact sales@uren.com.
