Avocados from Peru will remain available in the US market until June

The global avocado market is influenced by seasonality and product quality. In this context, Peru has emerged as a key player during the months of May through August, complementing the Mexican export season. However, the 2024 Hass avocado season in Peru has faced challenges due to adverse weather conditions, which have reduced production and exports by 16% compared to the previous year, according to Juan Carlos Paredes Rosales, president of ProHass.

The reduced supply could lead to higher prices, especially in markets like the United States and Europe. However, uncertainty remains as to whether this increase will offset the decline in production volume. Efforts are underway to direct more exports to the United States and Europe, taking advantage of the potentially smaller size of Mexican avocados and expectations of high prices.

Despite the challenges, there are positive signs in some regions, such as the Sierra, which is showing a robust campaign with significant weekly exports of Hass avocados. Furthermore, the opening of new markets like Malaysia presents opportunities for the expansion of Peruvian avocado exports.

As for prices, there is an increase of 40 to 50% compared to the previous year, due to reduced production in Mexico, smaller fruit sizes in California, and water availability problems in Chile.

Meeting the challenges of 2024 means maintaining product quality, which requires proper ripening and pest management in the field. Furthermore, the sustainability of avocado cultivation is essential, which involves the responsible use of resources and technological advancements to monitor and automate processes.

Source: Fruit Portal