However, this week, customers in the United States have been putting some time on hold for shipments from Colombia, while in Europe there is already a rebound, registering an increase of around 30 to 45 containers in week 21.

This situation, according to reports from many clients in Europe, is due to the fact that they are seeing that the volumes from Peru are not what was expected and the sizes have remained somewhat the same, which has led them to fill that gap with Colombian fruit.

Regarding the lead time for Colombian avocados, it is recorded as 4 to 5 weeks from the date an exporter or importer requests the fruit. The predominant avocado sizes in Colombia are small to medium. It is worth noting that we have had some rain which, while beneficial to the early harvest, will be even more beneficial to the main crop.

Meanwhile, the areas currently producing are at higher altitudes, between 1,900 and 2,400 meters. Due to this altitude, the fruit loads more easily, resulting in a 9- to 10-month fruiting period. Previously, the lower altitudes, between 1,600 and 1,800 meters, saw fruiting in 6 to 7 months. Consequently, the fruit sizes in these areas tend to be smaller.

It should also be noted that, at a political and social level, some public order problems have been occurring in the southern part of the country, specifically in Cauca and Nariño, areas where there is very good fruit, and this could affect the volumes of avocados to be exported in the coming days.

Jorge Molina Duque

Colombia

jorgemolina@coltropicos.com