W7 Avocado Update: Colombian Avocado Exports Jump 56% YoY in 2024, Peru's Avocado Exports Grow by 4.4% YoY in 2023, Turkey's Avocado Prices Surged by 50% MoM in Feb-24 Due to Increased Demand, and Kenya to Lift Avocado Export Ban After Four-Month Suspension

Published 2024년 2월 22일

In W7 in the avocado landscape, US imports of Mexican avocados have grown by 215% over the last decade, with the Mexican avocado industry aiming to double its production for the US. APEAM plans to reach 1 million ha in the US by 2023/24, while the organization also plans to enter other markets like Japan and Canada. However, Michoacán faces a crisis due to intensive farming practices, which deplete resources and strain the land. Colombian avocado exports have seen a 56% YoY increase in 2024, with around 1.4 thousand tons shipped to the US in 2023/24. Northern Paraná avocado farmers profit from European exports with higher-priced Hass varieties, with the region expected to harvest around 80 tons of avocados this season. Peru's avocado exports grew by 4.4% YoY in 2023, reaching USD 950 million, with the Netherlands, Spain, the US, Chile, and the UK as leading importers. Meanwhile, Kenya's avocado exports will resume in two weeks, ending a four-month suspension imposed by the Horticultural Crops Directorate. Due to increased domestic and Russian demand, Turkey's avocado prices rose by 50% MoM on Feb-24.

US Imports of Mexican Avocados Surge 215% Over the Last Decade

United States (US) imports of Mexican avocados have significantly grown in the last decade, increasing by 215% from USD 1.27 billion in 2014 to USD 2.67 billion in 2023, according to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) trade data. This growth has been a key driver in expanding US imports of Mexican commodities, with avocados and berries leading the way.

Mexican Avocado Industry Aims to Double US Production

According to the general director of the Association of Avocado Producers and Packers Exporters of Mexico (APEAM), the Mexican avocado industry is set to double its production for the US. APEAM, which has been exporting avocados to the US since 1997, has cultivated 170 thousand hectares (ha) in Michoacán and Jalisco. The association aims to reach 1 million hectares (ha) in the US by the 2023/24 season. The association also plans to enter other markets, such as Japan and Canada, and maintain a minimal presence in Europe, Central America, and China. APEAM also consolidates exportable supplies to other countries after the US.

Michoacán's Avocado Industry Faces Crisis Due to Intensive Farming Practices

Michoacán, the world's largest avocado producer, faces a crisis as extensive farming to meet the demand in the US depletes resources. The current intensive farming model, marked by deforestation and monoculture, is straining the land. Experts call for a shift in practices to protect the environment and preserve land for future generations. They advocate for greater environmental and social responsibility from producers and stricter enforcement of environmental laws.

Colombian Avocado Exports Surged by 56% YoY in 2024

Colombian avocado shipments have seen a 56% year-over-year (YoY) increase in the last five years due to the Hass Avocado Producers and Exporters Corporation of Colombia (CorpoHass). In the 2023/24 season, around 1.4 thousand tons of Colombian Hass avocados have been shipped to the US, a 56% YoY increase. The avocado industry also experienced a 26% YoY increase in containers exported to various markets in 2023. Colombian Hass avocados are recognized for their exceptional quality and flavor and are Colombia's third most exported fruit. At least 70 containers of Colombian Hass will be shipped to the US between January 22 and February 18, 2024.

Northern Paraná Avocado Farmers Profit from European Exports with Higher-Priced Hass Variety

Avocado farmers in northern Paraná, Brazil, particularly in Nova América da Colina, Assaí, and São Sebastião da Amoreira, are benefiting from exporting their produce, primarily to Europe. This season, the region is expected to harvest around 80 tons of avocados, with the Hass variety fetching prices 50% to 100% higher than tropical avocados. Farmers are receiving guidance from extensionists at the Institute of Rural Development of Paraná (IDR-Paraná) to meet international market demands and quality standards.

Peruvian Avocado Exports Grow 4.4% YoY in 2023

Peruvian avocado exports faced challenges such as the El Niño Phenomenon, Cyclone Yaku, social protests, and inadequate irrigation infrastructure. However, they grew by 4.4% YoY in 2023, reaching USD 950 million, with the Netherlands, Spain, the US, Chile, and the United Kingdom (UK) as leading importers. Despite high temperatures affecting the fruit's physiological processes which causes stagnation in dry matter content and increased fruit drop, Peru aims to export 25% of its avocado production to the US by 2025, with strategies to increase dry matter content and improve post-harvest management.

Kenya to Lift Avocado Export Ban on March 1, 2024

Kenya's avocado exports will resume in two weeks, ending a four-month suspension imposed by the Agricultural Food Authority (AFA). Initiated by the Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) in Nov-23, the ban aims to ensure the maturity and quality of exported fruit. The ban will be lifted on March 1, 2024, but sea exports of Fuerte and Hass varieties will remain restricted to size code 20 until the open export window begins. The AFA has imposed strict measures, including penalties, on exporters or their agents found transporting avocados without crates or in open pick-up trucks in contravention of the Horticultural Regulations.

Turkey's Avocado Prices Rose by 50% MoM Due to Increased Demand in Feb-24

Avocado prices in Türkiye have surged by 50% month-on-month (MoM) in Feb-24 due to increased domestic and Russian demand. The average price of avocado in Turkey is approximately USD 3.24 per kilogram (TRY 100/kg). As of W7, 70% of Türkiye's avocado production comes from Antalya, where two varieties, Fuerte and Baby, are harvested in low volumes. The price of avocados has increased by 100% recently, and Turkish avocados are not sold in the Russian market due to concerns about taste, consistency, smell, and oiliness. Despite the scarcity, a fruit broker successfully exported 18 tons of avocados to Russia for USD 5/kg during the lowest harvest.