W23: Avocado Update

In W23 in the avocado landscape, the Colombia Avocado Board (CAB) published a guide for avocado imports, ensuring quality and educating the supply chain. It covers all stages and aims to maintain Colombia's avocado leadership. Exports to the US have surged with a 104% volume increase. Exports to Japan are expected to rise as it audited Colombia to expand avocado exports. Also, Colombian producers are creating processed avocado products like oil, guacamole, frozen pulp, and cosmetics to diversify the industry. These products meet the demand for convenient and innovative avocado items, expanding the market. Colombian organizations are also seeking ways to enhance the avocado industry. The National University of Colombia is working with Altia Biotech to develop natural alternatives to chemical fungicides for avocado and passion fruit crops. The project aims to find effective control agents and reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture. Other Latin American countries like Peru and Guatemala are also seeking a higher participation in the global avocado industry. During the current Peruvian avocado season, exports initially faced challenges but later experienced exponential growth. Until W22, the total Peruvian avocado shipments amounted to 216.5 thousand tons, a 9% increase compared to the previous season. The Netherlands, Spain, and the United States were the top three destinations, accounting for 74% of all shipments.The main exporting regions during this period were Lambayeque, Lima, and La Libertad, which together accounted for 78.5% of the total exports. In W23, Guatemala was still awaiting approval to export avocados to the U.S. 70% of the Guatemalan avocado production goes to Europe, with the remaining 30% distributed in Central America. The country has 13 thousand hectares dedicated to avocado cultivation, with 5.6 thousand hectares for Hass avocados. Challenges include meeting customer demand, modernizing plantations, and exploring new market opportunities.

The industry growth has been led by growing global demand for avocados. For example, the avocado consumption in Spain has witnessed a remarkable surge, increasing by 1,392% over the past decade. Sales data from Mercamadrid, Spain's largest wholesale market, reveals that avocado sales rose from 3,075 tons in 2012 to 45,885 tons in 2021. Unfortunately, some Spanish regions that grow avocados are facing difficulties. Huelva's avocado production has plummeted by 70% due to drought, high temperatures, and water scarcity. This has led to reduced fruit yield and farmers abandoning their farms, especially those located far from the sea. Kenyan avocado producers are also facing losses, but due to theft. Murang'a County Commissioner ordered the closure of unlicensed avocado purchasing centers due to increased thefts from local farms. He emphasized the importance of following the proper procedures set by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) for buying and selling avocados. Also, the APHIS has conducted a pest risk assessment for importing fresh Hass avocados from Kenya to the US. Stakeholders can provide feedback on the draft assessment until June 29, 2023, before finalizing pest mitigations for import approval. On the other hand, Rwanda is expanding avocado exports by sea after a successful trial shipment to Dubai. Sea transportation is over 44% cheaper than air cargo, providing a cost-effective alternative. This aligns with Rwanda's goal to improve horticultural export transportation.