The avocado season in Europe has begun with a complex outlook. After a very busy December due to numerous shipments from Morocco, the start of the harvest in Spain, and the final large volumes arriving from Chile, the Christmas period was shaping up to be challenging. European operators, anticipating a decrease in demand during the holidays, reduced orders and halted fruit harvesting.

However, the start of this year has created an illusion of a fruit shortage on the market, leading some producers to demand price increases. But in reality, the export machinery is already in full swing, which will likely cause markets to become overwhelmed as soon as stocks stabilize.

It's important to note that this request to raise prices may be seen as speculation by some, and that within 15 days, the markets could be flooded with fruit again. This will slow down sales and lead to a surplus of fruit at the end of the season.

Regarding new avocado origins, harvests of Hass varieties will begin this January in Portugal and Israel, adding to the existing harvests in Morocco and Spain. This could lead to an increase in the fruit supply on the European market and, possibly, a stabilization of prices.

In summary, the start of the year for the European avocado market is complex and fraught with uncertainty. However, with the arrival of new fruit origins and the regularization of stocks, the market is likely to stabilize in the coming weeks.

Carlos Ocaña

Spain