Baby and medium sizes are in fashion in Europe.

Colombia is still awaiting the start of the main 2026-2027 harvest. We could say that the country has been facing a market upheaval over the last two years, accompanied by low production due to factors that, in many cases, are beyond its control. We have a challenge that goes beyond the commercial aspect: the challenge is also technical and related to productivity. We know that our courageous producers work daily to overcome these difficulties, but the various variables that the market presents today, such as the availability of avocados from other origins, the emergence of new producing countries, domestic costs, the exchange rate, and the country's productivity, make the avocado business as exciting as it is challenging.

We are patiently awaiting the end of the off-season, hoping it will bring some rather unusual results for Colombia's historical records. Production is estimated to be nearly 60% below the average for this time of year. We know this is an atypical year, and that Colombian exports, in volume, have decreased by approximately 30% compared to last year.

Currently, the average size distribution is 42% for baby fish, 42% for medium fish, and 16% for large fish, indicating a trend toward improved sizes. We hope for a larger volume to capitalize on this in international markets.

Regarding purchase prices in Colombia, according to the proposals from exporters that we have been able to review for fully certified fruit and assuming 100% exportable fruit, large sizes are purchased on average at $5,400 per kilogram, medium sizes at $4,000, and small sizes at $2,800. These are weighted average prices, calculated based on the distribution of sizes currently being packed.

Meanwhile, the exchange rate has been falling week after week. In practical terms, today we could say that around €0.97 per kilogram of fruit is being paid at the farm gate, approximately 30% more than in the same period last year.

The European market remains the most sought-after and, historically, exhibits a phenomenon we call the "camel's back," which often creates favorable pricing opportunities for those who manage to reach that destination. However, volumes remain quite low, and, as we have mentioned previously, exported avocados continue to compete with both the processing industry and the domestic market.

We continue to observe how the commercial movement of our beloved hass avocado is developing #avocadosfromcolombia.

See you later!

Jorge Molina Duque
Operations Manager, Quality Studio CO
jorge.molina@qualitystudio.cl
Colombia