Peruvian avocado in Malaysia and the Philippines: from access to shipments

September 29, 2026

Peru has recently added two new markets for its Hass avocados in Southeast Asia: Malaysia opened the market in January 2024, after more than a decade of negotiations. Meanwhile, the Philippines agreed to meet phytosanitary requirements in October 2025. These two developments are part of Peru's trade expansion, although each market is at a different stage of development.  

The search for new markets is occurring as Peruvian shipments to Asia increase. Arturo Medina, from ProHass, presented figures at the Jalisco Avocado Congress 2026 that place Peruvian Hass avocado exports to that region at 75,365 tons during 2025, compared to 53,446 tons in 2024. This represents the total volume destined for Asia, so it does not allow for determining how much reached Malaysia or the Philippines.

Among the Asian destinations already receiving Peruvian avocados are China, Japan, and South Korea. According to PROMPERÚ statistics based on SUNAT records, in 2025 exports of fresh or dried fruit reached US$75.61 million to China, US$40.11 million to Japan, and US$19.08 million to South Korea.

Malaysia: From healthcare access to commercial competition

Access to Malaysia was the result of a lengthy process. SENASA sent technical information about Hass avocados in 2012, and six years later, received a Malaysian mission that visited fields and packing plants in Peru to evaluate its phytosanitary procedures.

In January 2024, the Malaysian Department of Agriculture announced the requirements for authorizing the import of the fruit. Production sites and processing plants interested in exporting must be included on an official list managed by SENASA before each season.  

The market access was granted to an industry that already had established suppliers. According to WITS/Comtrade, Malaysia imported 5,125 tons of fresh or dried fruit worth US$16.38 million in 2024. Australia supplied 3,747 tons, accounting for approximately 81% of the total import value. Peru is not listed among the supplier countries in this annual series for the first year of access. However, this data alone does not rule out the possibility of isolated transactions not reflected there.  

The CIEN-ADEX report highlights two challenges for Peru to gain market share in Malaysia: offering a competitive price and maintaining fruit quality throughout transit. Peru benefits from a 0% tariff preference under the CPTPP trade agreement, compared to the general 5% tariff indicated in the report. However, ProHass's presentation at the Jalisco Avocado Congress 2026 estimates an average delivery time of 50 days. This timeframe makes logistical planning especially critical, although sustained shipment data is still needed to assess the commercial impact of market opening.

Philippines: an opening awaiting the first shipment

The Philippines reached a more recent milestone. In October 2025, SENASA signed an Operational Work Plan with the Philippine authorities, establishing the conditions for exporting Hass avocados. The procedure includes identifying certified fields and packing facilities, as well as monitoring quarantine pests and ensuring shipment traceability.  

The signing of the plan opened the possibility of exporting, but further steps were needed to finalize shipments. In July 2026, the Peruvian Foreign Ministry reported that a technical visit from the Philippine health authority was expected to accredit production and packaging facilities before the first shipment could be sent.

In the case of the Philippines, distance will also be a factor to consider once shipments begin. According to Medina's presentation at the Jalisco Avocado Congress 2026, the merchandise takes an average of 45 to 50 days to reach its destination. This figure describes the estimated transit time. The capacity to supply that destination regularly will need to be evaluated once verifiable shipments are in place.

Malaysia and the Philippines exemplify two distinct phases of Peruvian expansion in Asia. In Malaysia, sanitary access was granted over two years ago, but detailed data is still needed to determine the extent of Peruvian avocados' commercial presence. In the Philippines, the phytosanitary agreement has been signed, and the next milestone is confirming the first shipment. Subsequent shipments will allow for an assessment of Peru's growing market share in each country.