Fruit and vegetables to Mauritius

(Last updated: 16 Jul 2007)

Trends and opportunities

The market

The local supply of fruit and vegetable is seasonal and depends on prevailing climatic conditions.  During the rainy and cyclonic season, there is a scarcity of these commodities, and consequently, an increase in the volume of imports. Religious fasting periods undertaken by various ethnic groups decreases on the demand for fruits and vegetables.

Mauritius imports approximately 20,000 tonnes per year of fresh and dried fruits. The main imported fruits are:

• oranges and mandarins – 6000 tonnes
• apples - 5600 tonnes
• pears and quinces – 1300 tonnes
• grapes - 1250 tonnes

Mauritius imports approximately 37,000 tonnes per year of fresh vegetables. The main imported vegetables are:

• onions and shallots
• potatoes
• dried lentils
• dried split peas
• garlic

Mauritius imports over 500 tonnes per year of frozen vegetables. The main items within this category are frozen peas and mixed vegetables.

Fruits and vegetables have traditionally been sold in markets but nowadays, with the changing lifestyles of consumers, they are also sold in supermarkets and hypermarkets. 

Opportunities

Many types of fruits are not grown in Mauritius and they have to be imported to satisfy local demand. Similarly, some vegetables are not grown, or not grown in sufficient quantities to meet consumers’ needs. The best opportunities for Australian suppliers are for the following products:

• Fresh fruits – melons, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, currants, apples, oranges
• Fresh vegetables – potatoes and small quantities of mushroom, broccoli, lettuce, cauliflower, asparagus
• Frozen mixed vegetables
• Dried vegetables – shelled lentils, chick peas and split peas

Competitive environment

South Africa is the largest supplier of fruits to Mauritius. Staple fruits such as oranges and apples are mainly imported from South Africa at very competitive prices.

The main advantages South Africa presents over Australia are:

• Price competitiveness at source
• Geographical proximity
• Regular, direct and reasonably priced shipping

Australia is facing increased competition from other lower cost producing countries such as Egypt and Pakistan, and has lost market share to the latter. Egypt and Pakistan supply the Mauritian market with fresh and dried fruits including oranges, dates, lemons and mandarins.

India, Australia and South Africa are the major suppliers of vegetables to Mauritius.

New Zealand and Australia were the traditional suppliers of frozen vegetables to Mauritius but are facing competition from emerging and cheaper sources such as Egypt and Belgium. The respective market shares are:

• New Zealand – 21 per cent
• Egypt – 16 per cent
• Australia ­– 12 per cent
• Belgium – 11 per cent

Tariffs, regulations and customs

The government of Mauritius does not allow imports of tropical fruits.

Mauritius is relatively self-sufficient in vegetable production. Imports of fresh vegetables are monitored by the government and in general, entry into the island is allowed in the following circumstances:

• To respond to shortage in supply when the harvest is affected by adverse weather such as cyclones or drought
• To supplement local production of some specific vegetables, eg. potatoes, garlic and onions
• To cater for specific needs of hotels and restaurants, eg. mushrooms, capsicums, asparagus, baby carrots, etc

There is no import restriction on frozen vegetables provided the vegetables have been blanched prior to being quick-frozen.

There are quotas on potato imports. Local individuals or companies interested in importing potatoes must submit a request to the Agricultural Marketing Board (AMB), which controls imports of some agricultural goods.

All imports of fruits and vegetables require a plant import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The plants and plant parts must not be packed or rooted in earth, leaf or garden mould, compost and farmyard manure of any description, or packed in straw and unsterilised sphagnum moss. The consignment must be covered by a phytosanitary or plant inspection certificate from AQIS. The plants will be examined on arrival and may only be released if in compliance with the all conditions in the import permit, ie. free from pests and disease, and do not represent a danger to plant health in the country.

Customs duty on fruits and vegetables varies from zero per cent to 40 per cent. The value added tax (VAT) of 15 per cent does not apply to basic food items such as unprocessed fruits and vegetables.

Mauritius is going through a four-year program, beginning in 2005, to become a duty free country. This policy is aimed at creating significant investment across the entire economy, developing new economic endeavourers and stimulating entrepreneurship. The initial objective is for Mauritius to increase tourism by offering wide-ranging duty free shopping.

The government is implementing the program incrementally to allow new revenue sources to be developed and to allow Mauritius business to prepare for increased competition.

Austrade can assist Australian suppliers in understanding the specific tariffs that apply to fruit and vegetable imports.

Industry standards

With the Food Act 1998, new regulations now govern the composition, packaging, labelling and handling of foods in Mauritius. Standards for tomatoes, vegetables and vegetable products are listed in a specific chapter in the Food Act 1998.

Marketing your products and services

Market entry

Australia is a well known and reliable source of supply of fruits and vegetables to Mauritius and most local importers already deal with suppliers based in Australia. Mauritius is a developing country and purchasing power is not very high. Competition is tough and price is a determinant factor in the success of any exporter to this market.

Australian suppliers can approach existing importers-distributors that have established contacts in the market. The importer-distributor will buy from the supplier and then distribute the products to vendors in the local markets, supermarkets, hotels and other retail outlets.

Mauritian companies usually seek suppliers who can offer a range of fruits or vegetables types for the convenience of consolidating orders. Buyers also seek credit facilities at times (eg. letter of credit 30-days or 60-days).

There are presently no online markets or e-communities for fruits and vegetables in Mauritius. However, the government is pursing an aggressive policy of IT and Internet development (the whole island has wireless Internet access) and e-commerce will develop rapidly.

Distribution channels

Importers-distributors bring in the fruits and vegetables for sale to retailers (street vendors, hypermarkets, supermarkets and owner of stalls in the local markets). Hotels also buy from local importers-distributors.  

Transport

Fruit is normally brought in by sea freight, which can take around 20–25 days as there is no direct shipping service from Australia. Products are shipped via Durban or Singapore. Airfreight is considered for small orders of vegetables, especially for hotel consumption.

Mauritius has one international airport, the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in south eastern Mauritius (at the opposite end of the island from the capital, Port Louis).

Air Mauritius is the national carrier, providing passenger and cargo services to over 30 destinations worldwide including Perth, Sydney and Melbourne in Australia.

Port Louis is the major commercial port for the country.

The island has a road network of approximately 2000km of paved roads.

Links and industry contacts

Food–related resources

Ministry of Health and Quality of Life - www.gov.mu/portal/site/mohsite

Ministry of Agro Industry and Fisheries - www.gov.mu/portal/site/MOASite 
Levels 8 & 9
Renganaden Seeneevassen Building
Cnr Jules Koenig & Maillard Streets
Port Louis Mauritius
Tel: (230) 212 2335
Fax: (230) 212 4427

Government, business and trade resources for Mauritius

Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry - www.mcci.org

Government of Mauritius - www.gov.mu

Contact details

The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government’s trade and investment development agency, operating as a statutory agency within the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.

Austrade assists Australian businesses contribute to national prosperity by succeeding in trade and investment, internationally, and promoting and supporting productive foreign investment into Australia.

Austrade:

• Delivers services that assist Australian businesses initiate, sustain and grow trade and outward investment.
• Promotes Australia as an inward investment destination and, with the States and Territories, supports the inflow of productive foreign direct investment.
• Administers the Export Market Development Grants scheme.
• Undertakes initiatives designed to improve community awareness of, and commitment to, international trade and investment.
• Provides advice to the Australian Government on its trade and investment development activities.
• Delivers consular, passport and other government services in designated overseas locations.

A list of Austrade offices (in alphabetical order of country) is available.

More information

For further information please contact Austrade on 13 28 78 or email info@austrade.gov.au

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