1. Weekly News

Colombia

Colombian Avocado Industry Faces Oversupply and Market Pressure During 2025 Campaign

Affected by oversupply, falling prices, adverse weather, and logistical disruptions, Colombia’s 2025 avocado season has been one of its most challenging. The early and large-scale harvest from Peru, reaching up to 850 containers weekly to the United States (US) and Europe, has saturated key markets. This has lowered prices and reduced Colombia’s competitiveness, especially given the 10% US import tariff on its avocados. This pressure is compounded by Mexican avocados, which enter duty-free and benefit from more efficient logistics.

In Colombia, persistent heavy rains have delayed harvests and worsened road conditions, creating port congestion and limiting access to controlled atmosphere containers. Colombian exporters are narrowing their focus to specific size categories for the European market, reducing shipments to just one or two containers per week. They are also exploring new destinations such as Canada, Central America, Chile, the Middle East, and Asia, even considering air freight despite higher costs. As part of a longer-term strategy, the sector is expected to open a frozen avocado pulp facility in September to process surplus or lower-grade fruit and tap into additional global markets.

Guatemala

Guatemala Nears Final Approval to Export Hass Avocados to the US

Guatemala is approaching the final stages of gaining approval to export Hass avocados to the US. This follows key advancements in the authorization process led by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The next steps include signing an operational plan and a cooperation agreement with the US phytosanitary authorities. Guatemalan farms must be free from pests such as Macrocopturus aguacate and operate within a traceability system covering harvest, packing, and export volumes to meet the requirements.

Only registered farms and packing facilities meeting these phytosanitary standards will be allowed to export, with an annually updated list required. An upcoming audit by a US delegation will assess 28 farms and 8 packing plants to verify compliance. This progress represents a strategic opportunity for Guatemala to diversify its avocado exports, which are currently directed to the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and Canada. It also aligns with national efforts to promote rural development and enhance global market competitiveness in agriculture.

Mexico

Global Avocado Demand and Mexico’s Export Dominance Continue to Grow

Global demand for avocados continues to rise, with production projected to reach 14 million metric tons (mmt) by 2033, driven by the fruit’s profitability and growing consumer appeal. Mexico remains the leading producer and exporter, benefiting from its industry’s scale and efficiency. According to government data, Mexican avocado exports reached USD 1.664 billion in the first four months of 2025, a 29.7% year-on-year (YoY) increase compared to the same period in 2024. For the full year of 2024, exports totaled USD 3.787 billion, accounting for 40% of global avocado export value. USDA projections for 2025 indicate that Mexico’s avocado production will rise by 3% to 2.75 mmt, with exports expected to grow by 5% to 1.34 mmt. While avocados represent a smaller share of the tropical fruit category by volume, they remain the fastest-growing segment. Alongside Mexico, other major avocado exporters in 2024 included Peru, the Netherlands, Spain, Morocco, and Colombia.

Peru

Peruvian Avocado Exports Rise While Oversupply Pressures Prices

Peru has increased avocado exports to their highest levels in recent years, with W21 alone seeing 28.5 thousand metric tons (mt) shipped, maintaining an average of around 28.5 thousand mt per week from W18 to W21. However, this surge has intensified oversupply in key markets such as Europe, North America, and Asia, putting downward pressure on prices. The average export price fell from USD 2.23 per kilogram (kg) in W1 to W17 to USD 1.81/kg in W18 to W21, with prices ranging between USD 1.89 and USD 1.70/kg. While the country is on track to surpass its 2023 and 2024 volumes, price-sensitive global buyers have forced exporters and logistics firms to adjust operations, including scaling back procurement of packaging and other export materials. The industry continues to navigate tighter margins, balancing volume growth with profitability challenges in increasingly saturated markets.

Spain

Rainfall Boosts Spanish Avocado Harvest and Export Outlook

Spain’s avocado sector has recovered strongly in the 2024/25 season, supported by abundant rainfall in key growing regions such as Axarquía (Málaga), Costa Tropical (Granada), and southern Portugal. These areas, which account for 75% of Spain’s avocado exports, saw production rise over 20% YoY, exceeding 75 thousand mt. The improved yields were aided by water levels at the La Viñuela reservoir surpassing 50% after extended drought conditions. Additional output came from emerging production zones in Huelva, Cádiz, Valencia, and the Canary Islands. In response to the rebound, the Spanish Tropical Fruit Association has emphasized the urgent need for strategic water infrastructure, including desalination projects and inter-basin water transfers, to ensure future production. The association also calls for unified representation across the avocado value chain to strengthen Spain’s position in European markets, where its avocados continue to meet high European Union (EU) quality and environmental standards.

United States

CAC Urges USDA to Reinstate Avocado Inspections in Mexico Over Pest Concerns

The California Avocado Commission (CAC) urges the USDA to resume direct inspections of Mexican avocado orchards and packing facilities following increased pest detections since inspection duties were transferred to Mexico’s National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA) in late 2024. With the California avocado industry valued at USD 1.5 billion and US consumption relying on Mexico for nearly 90% of its avocado supply, the CAC has raised concerns about biosecurity risks posed by pests such as stem and seed weevils. The Commission argues that without rigorous oversight, continued imports may endanger local production and urges that market access be conditional on strict adherence to phytosanitary protocols. The CAC has intensified lobbying efforts in Washington to advocate for immediate USDA action, asserting that protecting US agriculture requires consistent and active inspection measures.

2. Weekly Pricing

Weekly Avocado Pricing Important Exporters (USD/kg)

Yearly Change in Avocado Pricing Important Exporters (W24 2024 to W24 2025)  

Mexico

Avocado prices in Mexico rose by 5.19% from the previous week to USD 3.85/kg in W24 and were also up 18.10% month-on-month (MoM) and 13.57% YoY. The price increase was mainly due to limited supply, as growers in Michoacán reduced harvests amid ongoing uncertainty over export tariffs and pricing negotiations. Strong demand from the US, which buys over 80% of Mexico’s avocado exports, also supported higher prices. Despite a gradual recovery in production, which is expected to grow 3% YoY in 2025, tight short-term supply kept prices elevated.

Peru

In W24, avocado prices in Peru rose by 2.94% week-on-week (WoW) to USD 0.70/kg, reflecting a modest recovery after low pricing. Prices were also 14.75% YoY higher, supported by strong demand from Europe and North America and limited supply, as some exporters delayed sales in anticipation of better returns. A seasonal slowdown in production in key regions such as Piura and Ica further tightened availability. However, prices declined 9.09% month-on-month (MoM) as the harvest progressed and larger 60-gauge fruit became more abundant in the local market, easing short-term supply constraints.

Chile

Chilean avocado prices remained relatively stable in W24, showing a marginal 0.39% increase WoW and MoM to USD 2.56/kg. The market is steady, supported by consistent local and export demand, and favorable harvesting conditions in regions such as Coquimbo and Valparaíso. However, prices remain 36.95% lower YoY due to a 33% rise in production for the 2024/25 season, which exceeded 200 thousand mt, and a 30% increase in exports, resulting in market oversupply and downward pressure on prices.

3. Actionable Recommendations

Tighten On-Farm Biosecurity to Safeguard Market Access

Avocado producers should implement stricter on-farm biosecurity protocols to meet phytosanitary expectations and maintain export access. This includes setting up pest monitoring traps, cleaning tools, harvesting bins regularly, and isolating affected blocks when pests like stem weevils are detected. For example, producers can adopt visual inspection checklists before transport, apply targeted pest treatments, and train workers to spot early signs of infestation. By proactively managing orchard hygiene and documentation, producers across Mexico, Peru, Kenya, and beyond can minimize inspection delays and safeguard long-term trade with sensitive markets like the US and Japan.

Adjust Export Timing and Diversify Markets to Avoid Price Drops

Avocado producers should stagger shipments and target under-supplied markets to ease pressure on saturated destinations. Instead of front-loading volumes to Europe or the US during peak weeks, producers in Peru, Colombia, Kenya, and others can redirect part of their supply to emerging markets in the Middle East or Southeast Asia. They can also extend harvest windows using altitude variations or cold storage to avoid bulk shipments all at once. For example, packing houses can coordinate with exporters to delay harvests from higher-elevation zones or reduce pack-out rates during peak weeks. These steps can help stabilize prices and preserve margins.

Sources: Tridge, AgroPeru, Fresh Fruit Portal, Freshplaza, Redagricola, Opportimes, Sur in English