Decline in avocado shipments marks week 50 in the United States
Week 50 ended with a significant drop in avocado shipments to the United States. According to records, 1,150 shipments were sent, including containers and trucks, representing a 20% decrease compared to the previous week. This decline is primarily attributed to Mexico, which reduced its shipments by 21%.
Colombia, for its part, showed a slight increase of 11% compared to the previous week. Regarding market share, Mexico remains dominant but registered a significant decrease, falling from 97% to 94%. Colombia and the Dominican Republic, with similar volumes, each captured 3% of the market, a notable improvement compared to previous weeks when they barely represented 1%.
In his weekly column, Sergio Paz explained that the drop in shipments from Mexico is due to seasonal factors. The weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year's are challenging for exporters because of the reduced fruit supply. Additionally, there was no activity at some plantations on December 12, 13, and 14 due to local celebrations, which impacted the harvests.
Regarding prices, the larger calibers, from .32 to .40, remain at high levels and maintain a significant price gap compared to the smaller calibers. This week, the .48 caliber, considered medium-to-large, experienced a 9% drop, while medium calibers, such as the .70, decreased by 5%, although less sharply.
A notable phenomenon this year is the widening price gap between large and small calibers. In week 51 of last year, the highest price for a 25-pound box reached $44, while the lowest, for the smallest caliber, was around $17. In contrast, this week the highest price reached $67.50, and the lowest was $16.
Larger sizes have gained a privileged position in the market, reflecting a change in consumption dynamics and the increased value placed on the product this year.
See the full breakdown of figures and weekly trends in the global avocado market, with updated data from all origins and markets. Access the Avobook Premium Report for Week 51. Subscribe at avobook.com! 
