CAB reports that industry operations were unaffected following the August earthquake
The Colombian avocado supply chain remains operational.
The Colombia Avocado Board (CAB) reports that the country's avocado production and export operations remain virtually unaffected following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia on August 10.
Manuel Michel, CEO of CAB, contacted members of CAB's exporters association and spoke with avocado growers in several of the affected regions to assess the situation in the sector. Reports indicate that avocado plantations, packing plants, infrastructure, and main transport routes are operating without the limitations imposed by the earthquake.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located near San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, in western Colombia. Effects were felt in the departments of Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda, coffee and avocado producing regions, as well as in Valle del Cauca. The most severe damage was reported in buildings and older areas of cities such as Pereira, Cali, Quibdó, Armenia, and Manizales.
Landslides temporarily affected roads in avocado-producing areas, but main roads have now been cleared and secondary roads are expected to return to normal shortly. Antioquia, Colombia's largest avocado-producing department, reported little to no disruption to orchards, infrastructure, and agribusiness operations.
“CAB’s assessment indicates that the Colombian Hass avocado industry remains capable of supplying the U.S. market during the upcoming season with no anticipated changes,” Michel stated. “While the industry’s infrastructure was unaffected, we understand that some employees, their families, and their communities have suffered personal losses, and the industry is providing them with support. Our thoughts are with all those affected as recovery efforts continue.”
The main season harvest in Colombia has begun in some areas and is expected to gradually increase as we approach October and November, with the peak harvest period anticipated to be around January.
According to a report from Colombia, “we did not suffer significant damage to our operations in the departments of Quindío and Caldas, nor to our packing plant in Antioquia,” stated Sergio Plata, manager of Baika Fruits in Colombia. “Our employees are safe, and we are actively supporting the affected communities in their recovery efforts. Our main harvest began in August, and we expect to have fruit available for shipment to the United States starting in week 38.”
Ricardo Mejía, general manager of Fruty Green, a company with operations in Risaralda, also reported that the company is operating normally after the earthquake. “We began the harvest during week 33, and the main season harvest is showing encouraging quality and volume. The El Niño phenomenon and the possibility of below-average rainfall remain a cause for concern, but producers are preparing and taking the necessary measures to cope with these conditions.”
While avocado orchards and packing plants were generally undamaged, the full extent of personal losses is still being assessed. Support efforts for the industry are being coordinated with Corpohass, the Colombian association of Hass avocado producers and exporters. Those wishing to learn more about how to contribute can contact Katheryn Mejía, Executive Director of Corpohass, at presidencia@corpohass.com.
