Avocado from Jalisco strengthens its position in Canada

The start of the new Hass avocado season in Jalisco comes with a particularly favorable outlook for one of its main international markets. With a harvest that began earlier than last year, greater fruit availability, and improved production prospects, the Mexican state is strengthening its role in supplying Canada , a market whose demand continues to grow and which relies almost entirely on imports to meet its consumption.

Unlike the previous season, which was marked by drought and delayed fruit ripening, the 2026 campaign began in late May, allowing for an earlier and more orderly entry of volumes to the market. This made it easier for Canadian importers to have fresh fruit during a key stage of the summer, reducing the usual gaps between harvests.

"The new Jalisco harvest began in late May, one of the earliest starts recorded recently. This allows Canada to receive fresh fruit during the transition between harvests, reducing potential supply gaps," explains Mauricio López , Business Development Manager and columnist for Avobook.

An increasingly relevant commercial window for Hass avocados

Jalisco's growth within Mexico's avocado industry has allowed it to consolidate an increasingly important position in international markets. Currently, the region has approximately 95,000 acres of Hass and Méndez avocados. Because about 40% of that area is not suitable for export to the United States , a significant portion of its production finds excellent opportunities in alternative destinations such as Canada, Europe , and Asia.

In this context, Canada has already positioned itself as one of the main partners for avocados from Jalisco. During 2025, between 25% and 28% of the state's exports were destined for the Canadian market.

Canadian avocado imports reached a record 110.3 million kilograms in 2025, reflecting a demand that continues to expand as consumers incorporate avocados more frequently into their diets.

Canada and the United States: Two markets with different dynamics

Although both North American countries have shown sustained growth in consumption in recent years, they have very different commercial characteristics for avocado exports.

"The United States is a market driven primarily by consumer demand; Canada is a market driven by both demand and supply efficiency," explains Mauricio López.

While the United States combines high demand with domestic production areas, Canada relies almost entirely on imports. This makes continuity of supply a determining factor for importers and supermarket chains, who prioritize suppliers capable of guaranteeing stability, quality, and traceability year-round. Furthermore, consumers are particularly sensitive to retail promotions, meaning that fruit availability and price competitiveness directly influence business performance.

A consumer who values quality and responsible sourcing

The growth of the Canadian market also reflects changes in consumer preferences. The search for healthy and reputable foods has driven increasing demand for products that can demonstrate high standards of quality, safety, and traceability.

In this context, Hass avocados have become more prevalent in the daily lives of consumers, increasingly incorporated into the meals of the Canadian population. At the same time, major supermarket chains have strengthened their responsible sourcing programs, prioritizing suppliers who can demonstrate good agricultural practices, efficient resource management, and compliance with social and environmental standards.

These demands represent an opportunity for Jalisco, whose producers and packers have made significant investments in certification, traceability, and agricultural technology to meet the requirements of international buyers.

Mexico's avocado leadership sets the pace in the north

Currently, Mexican avocados supply approximately 94% of Canada's fresh avocado imports. The remaining percentage is distributed among Peru, which accounts for about 3% of the supply, and Colombia , the United States, and New Zealand, which each contribute approximately 1%.

For Canadian buyers, the main strategic difference lies not in choosing between different supplier countries, but in the supply capacity and complementarity of Mexican producing regions. Michoacán remains the primary source of the fruit, but Jalisco gains importance during the key summer months by complementing the supply and helping to maintain a steady flow to the Canadian market.

"For a Canadian buyer, the key question is not so much who supplies Canada, but which region of Mexico supplies it," says López.

The 2026 season confirms that the importance of the Canadian market lies in its appreciation for the continuity of supply as well as the quality of the fruit, consolidating Jalisco as a fundamental pillar of the Mexican fruit and vegetable trade.