Frozen avocado packet Tesco

The new frozen avocado slices at Tesco

Tesco has launched what it claims is the UK’s first-ever frozen avocado aiming to impress shoppers on both convenience and price.

The re-sealable sachet of de-stoned and peeled frozen avocado slices will retail for less than fresh wholehead avocados, Tesco said, selling for £2.50 for 500g (around nine halves).

They will go on sale this week and will be initially sold in around 280 stores across the UK. As well as reduced wastage,Tesco said the other reason for introducing frozen avocados is in response to the “massive trend” for juicing and smoothie making.

“Customers have told us that they often struggle with fresh avocados at home as they go off very quickly which can result in food waste,” said Tesco frozen produce buyer, Marianne Aitken.

“They can also be a bit messy to prepare so we’ve not only frozen, but also peeled and halved them so they’re ready to use in salads, smoothies or guacamole. And of course because they’re frozen from fresh all the nutrients are locked in through the freezing process,' she added.

The retailer said during the last year demand for bags of prepared frozen fruit slices jumped by 30 per cent across the market. At Tesco the most popular frozen fruit smoothie line is a mango and pineapple mix, which saw an increase of 140 per cent during the last year.

Other recent avocado innovations from Tesco include the Avozilla, which is roughly five times larger than regular varieties.