Python dictionary count values

#Python dictionary count values by key

items = ["Banana", "Apple", "Avocado", "Grapes", "Oranges", "Banana", "Apple", "Avocado", "Kiwi", "Pear"]

#hash table object to hold the items and count
counter = dict()

#loop over each and increment by 1
for item in items:
    if item in counter.keys():
        counter[item] += 1
    else:
        counter[item] = 1


print(counter)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#Output

{'Banana': 2, 'Apple': 2, 'Avocado': 2, 'Grapes': 1, 'Oranges': 1, 'Kiwi': 1, 'Pear': 1}