Colombia will continue to take advantage of opportunities for small-sized avocados in Europe
Shipments of Colombian avocados could reach 220 containers per week, according to projections by Avobook CEO Sebastián de la Cuadra, who explains why the European market remains the best option for this fruit.
Avobook has been closely monitoring the evolution of avocado exports from Colombia. Just this week, an increase in volumes received in the international market was recorded, with 185 containers at the close of week 42, representing a 36% increase compared to week 41.
The emphasis of their shipments has been clear: to allocate 90% of their fruit to Europe, where opportunities are opening up for avocados with qualities that are easy to find in the Colombian supply.
This is explained by Sebastián de la Cuadra, CEO of Avobook, who analyzes the current state of exports from that country, based on the data provided weekly by the Avobook Report.
According to him, “Colombia has remained stable. It is between 150 and 180 containers per week, which have focused on Europe.”
Unlike Chile, Colombia hasn't completely ruled out increasing exports to the United States. Even so, the European market remains attractive, especially now that there's a significant opportunity to sell smaller-sized ore at competitive prices.
“The US market is largely dominated by Mexico. But Colombia will clearly be monitoring the European market to see how much the US is allocating to it. The good news is that there's room for smaller calibers in Europe, so in Colombia, it could be seen that the most efficient strategy today is for smaller calibers to go to Europe and larger calibers to go to the United States,” he explains.
Of course, Sebastián de la Cuadra points out that this is a potential reorganization of his shipments, but not an increase in his weekly export volume.
“This won’t necessarily mean more fruit will be coming from Colombia in the coming weeks; rather, it will remain very stable, between 180 and 220 containers per week. That will be the Colombian harvest, which will remain at those numbers, very stable, at least until February,” explains the CEO of Avobook.
It is worth remembering that one factor that determines the fate of their fruit is the limited number of orchards that have the certifications to send avocados to the United States.
De la Cuadra points out that "Colombia cannot send from all fields, only from certain areas that are certified to send to the United States."
Therefore, Europe will continue to be its natural destination, as there are no restrictions preventing the shipment of fruit from any field, as far as certifications are concerned.
“I believe that Europe will continue to need Colombian fruit, medium and small fruit, while Morocco and Israel also contribute larger, better-sized fruit. Spain also has large fruit, so I think that Colombia's future will continue to be in that continent,” concludes Sebastián de la Cuadra.
