Since February of this year, the Ecuadorian avocado sector had been eagerly awaiting the visit of the Agency for Plant and Animal Health Inspection Service (APHIS), whose arrival was scheduled between the last week of May and June. This visit, crucial in the process of obtaining authorization to export to the U.S. market, aimed to conduct a comprehensive review of registered farms and their packing facilities, with particular attention to phytosanitary control and compliance protocols.

Unfortunately, the visit was postponed at the last minute due to internal complications within the regulatory body related to staff availability for the audits. This news undoubtedly represents a setback to the planned schedule. However, the sector remains confident that, as we are in the final stage of the process, a new date will soon be confirmed, allowing us to complete this important step and finally open the doors to the demanding North American market.

Meanwhile, as the international agenda is being reorganized, the sector's focus is naturally shifting to the local market. With the export season drawing to a close, stakeholders across the supply chain are preparing to serve a domestic market that, despite its potential, still shows modest figures in terms of per capita avocado consumption. Ecuador, with a population of nearly 19 million, consumes barely one kilogram of avocado per person per year. This figure contrasts sharply with other similar markets, such as Chile, where domestic consumption surges once the export season ends.

The arrival of the Ecuadorian summer presents a strategic opportunity. During this period, avocados become increasingly popular in the national diet, and the fruit's scarcity makes marketing particularly attractive for producers. This window of opportunity should be seized not only commercially, but also to foster a culture of consumption that will help strengthen the domestic market in the long term.

Regarding the climate outlook, the agricultural cycle has been marked by an unusually rainy season, even as we approach the summer solstice. This anomaly, particularly noticeable in the highlands, has favored sustained natural irrigation for six months, a rare phenomenon in recent decades. While projections indicate that summer droughts may not be as prolonged, this climatic context contributes positively to preparations for the upcoming season.

The 2025-2026 season, which will begin in October or November, is shaping up to be very promising: a 30% to 40% increase in production volume is expected, along with a notable improvement in fruit quality, with a greater presence of large and medium sizes. This represents not only an opportunity to consolidate our presence in international markets, but also to strongly boost the development of the local market.

In short, despite the setbacks, the Ecuadorian avocado sector remains resilient and strategically focused. The combination of favorable weather conditions, encouraging production projections, and an expanding domestic market makes this a pivotal moment to consolidate sustainable and balanced growth between the local and global sectors.

Santiago Pinto, Director, Iteranza, spinto@interanza.com , Ecuador