California gains ground in balanced market

Last week, California harvested 13.7 million pounds of Hass avocados along with 644,000 pounds of gems . So far this season, the state has collected approximately 123 million pounds of all varieties , moving towards the projection of 330 million pounds for the 2026 cycle.

With the holiday on Memorial Day With the season fast approaching, retail promotions are multiplying across the country, preparing for one of the busiest avocado periods of the year. Demand has continued to strengthen in both the retail and foodservice channels, driving producer prices for Californian and Mexican fruit to their highest levels in a long time.

Current prices have restored optimism to the farming community after a long period of depressed returns. Many farmers are actively harvesting and seeking to secure price opportunities that have not been available in recent years.

At the same time, Mexico continues its downward trend in weekly export volume to the United States, contributing to a more balanced avocado market. The reduction in Mexican supply, combined with strong holiday demand, has adjusted inventories and supported firmer prices across the category. Californian fruit has particularly benefited from this new supply and demand balance, especially in the western US, where retailers are heavily promoting programs. “Locally Grown” looking ahead to summer.

The quality of California avocados remains excellent, and the industry appears well-positioned to meet peak summer demand. Although increased volumes from other origins are expected in the coming weeks, current movement and price trends suggest the market should remain strong in the short term, barring an unexpected and significant increase in total supply.

Gary Clevenger
Freska Produce International, LLC
gary@freskaproduce.com