Avocado
牛油果 · avokado
Avocado in October (this month)
Look for Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Mexico
These origins are in fresh-crop season.
Australia (Hass)Australia (Shepard)USANew ZealandPeruChileKenyaMexico
Fresh cropStored / lateNot shipping
Fresh crop now (4)
AU·H
Australia (Hass)Queensland, Western Australia
Fresh cropHass
New crop, harvest 5 months in
Queensland supplies from about April, then Western Australia runs into January. The main avocado in Singapore.
NZ
New ZealandBay of Plenty, Northland
Fresh cropHass
New crop, harvest 1 month in
Sep–Feb. Creamy, high-oil Hass, often strong value in Singapore.
CL
ChileValparaíso
Fresh cropHass
Harvest just started
Sep–Feb.
MX
MexicoMichoacán, Jalisco
Fresh cropHass
Harvest just started
The world's biggest avocado exporter, shipping all year with the best fruit Oct–Apr. Mostly goes to the US, but it does reach Singapore.
Skip this month (4)
AU·S
Australia (Shepard)North Queensland
Off seasonShepard (green skin)
Not shipping now
Feb–May. Stays green when ripe, so judge it by touch, not colour.
US
USACalifornia
Off seasonHass
Not shipping now
Mar–Sep. Rarely shipped this far.
PE
PeruLa Libertad, Ica
Off seasonHass
Not shipping now
Apr–Sep, overlapping with Australian Hass.
KE
KenyaCentral Highlands
Off seasonHass, Fuerte
Not shipping now
Mar–Sep. Increasingly common, usually cheaper.
How to pick at the shelf
- FeelPress near the stem: a slight give means ready today.
- Stem nubFlick it off. Green underneath is good, brown means overripe.
- ColourHass turns dark purple-black when ripe. Shepard stays green.
- AvoidDents and very soft spots.
At home
KeepCounter, then fridge
LastsRipen 2–5 days, then 2–3 days
Ripen next to an apple or banana to speed it up. For a cut half, leave the pit in and wrap it tightly.
Brand or variety on the label
Buying tips (3)
- Australia covers most of the year. New Zealand is strongest Sep–Feb, Peru and Kenya mid-year, and Mexico ships all year.
- Hass skin goes from green to almost black as it ripens. Shepard stays green.
- Press gently near the stem. A slight give means ready today. Hard fruit ripens in 2–4 days at room temperature.
Common questions
- When is avocado season in Singapore?
- Australia (Hass): May–Jan; Australia (Shepard): Feb–Apr; USA: Apr–Aug; New Zealand: Sep–Jan; Peru: Apr–Aug; Chile: Oct–Jan; Kenya: Apr–Aug; Mexico: Oct–Apr. Fresh-crop months by origin.
- Which country's avocado is best in October?
- Look for Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Mexico.
- How do I pick a ripe avocado?
- Feel: Press near the stem: a slight give means ready today. Stem nub: Flick it off. Green underneath is good, brown means overripe. Colour: Hass turns dark purple-black when ripe. Shepard stays green. Avoid: Dents and very soft spots.
- How should I store avocado?
- Counter, then fridge. Lasts Ripen 2–5 days, then 2–3 days. Ripen next to an apple or banana to speed it up. For a cut half, leave the pit in and wrap it tightly.