Week 33 and we're getting closer to starting again.

Colombia is gearing up to begin exports of the main 2026/2027 harvest. Although projected numbers are still relatively small, slight increases in volume are already being seen, with projections of between 15 and 20 containers this week. It's safe to say that 100% of this volume is destined for the European market.

So far this year, according to industry figures, Colombia has exported approximately 2,330 containers, 95% of which have been destined for Europe. We still have a long way to go to reach our target by the end of 2026, especially considering that, to date, Colombia's export volumes are about 30% lower than projected at the beginning of the year. The off-season harvest, meanwhile, ended up being about 60% lower than anticipated.

We're now expecting, as the experts in the field say, a very bountiful main harvest. Over the next month, we'll be closely monitoring the different regions and, especially, how the trees are reacting to the effects of El Niño, the heat, and the drought—factors that are accelerating fruit development in some areas.

Hopes are therefore pinned on this main harvest. But we cannot forget that the domestic market has been attractive to producers and that the exchange rate hasn't done much to make exporting more appealing either.

This week the dollar has remained relatively stable, while the euro has fallen by nearly 1%. In the fields, the average purchase price for fruit overall increased by approximately 3%, reaching $3,844 pesos per kilo for fully certified fruit considered 100% exportable.

Size distribution has also remained relatively stable. Approximately 15% of the fruit is large, 45% medium, and 40% small. In terms of price, large fruit is down 5% from the previous week, averaging $5,161 pesos per kilo. Medium fruit remains stable at around $4,000 pesos, while small fruit sees an increase of nearly 4%, reaching an average of $2,971 pesos.

Large shipments of produce are arriving in Bogotá from the national market. Prices are around $6,000 pesos for the first batch, $5,000 for the second, and $4,000 for the third.

It's been a busy few days. We're all waiting for the off-season to finally end, for Peru to finish its shipments, and for Europe to fully enter the summer that traditionally brings good results for our avocados. A summer that, from what we're seeing, looks like it might be prolonged.

And I take this opportunity to send a heartfelt message of gratitude to a teacher who taught us so much about what to do and what not to do, and who always encouraged me to believe in myself: Julián Escobar Jiménez. Rest in peace.

I also send a big hug and my prayers to all the people and families suffering the consequences of this week's earthquake. I sincerely hope they can overcome this difficult situation.

See you next week.

#AvocadosFromColombia #CO#SustainabilityFromTheHeart

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