In W45 in the avocado landscape, the Hass Avocado Producers Association of Peru (ProHass) concluded the avocado campaign in W42 with a total production volume of 570 thousand tons, reflecting a remaining stable year-on-year (YoY). Despite challenges in the United States (US), demand for Peruvian avocados decreased by 20% due to substantial Mexican supply and quality perceptions. While the Asian market, especially China, witnessed a 60% YoY increase of Peruvian avocados. Europe maintained its prominence, constituting 66% of Peruvian avocado exports. Chile emerged as the second most important destination, receiving 11% of the production.
During the official mission of Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) in New Delhi, India, significant advancements were achieved in bilateral trade and cooperation. Brazilian minister Carlos Fávaro announced the successful opening of the Indian market for Brazilian avocados and citrus fruits. The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply of Brazil highlighted the positive outcomes of the mission, emphasizing the government's efforts in creating jobs, opportunities, and well-being for the Brazilian people through international negotiations and openings.
The United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) established an oriental fruit fly quarantine in California's San Bernardino and Riverside Counties on September 27, 2023. This quarantine initially included Hass avocados as hosts, but the California Avocado Commission (CAC) promptly informed the USDA of the inconsistency with the host lists of Mediterranean and Mexican fruit flies, which do not include Hass avocados. Consequently, the USDA removed Hass avocados from the host list on October 27, 2023. The removal of mandated treatment requirements for Hass avocados within the quarantine area is expected to result in significant savings for growers. While other avocado varieties in the quarantine area still follow treatment protocols, the CAC is working with the USDA to exclude Hass avocados from the Queensland fruit fly quarantine.
La Unió Llauradora Organization reports significant crop damage in the Valencian countryside, Spain, due to recent wind storms with strong gusts. Crops currently amid the harvest campaign, including avocados, persimmons, citrus fruits, olives, and perelló from the Marina Alta, have been particularly affected. Damage includes fallen fruit, impacts that depreciate commercial value, broken branches, and buds. The windstorm exacerbates existing challenges in harvest capacity due to previous meteorological problems, raising concerns about potential commercial issues if the production loss is significant.
Lastly, the Kenya Horticulture Crops Directorate (HCD) has temporarily suspended the sea export of Hass, Pinkerton, Fuerte, and Jumbo varieties of avocados from November 3. The move aims to prevent the premature harvesting of avocados, ensuring their maturity and market reputation. The suspension also aims to avoid negative impacts on fruit trees and reduce the risk of decreased avocado yields. Inspection measures have been strengthened, especially regarding mango exports, to prevent traders from clandestinely combining avocados with mangoes during shipment. Avocados exported by air or through other East African Community countries will undergo customs clearance and HCD inspection. The annual output of avocados in Kenya is approximately 417 thousand tons, with the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Spain, and Turkey being major export destinations.
