New avocado varieties are transforming the industry in Mexico

The avocado industry in Mexico has experienced significant growth in recent years, establishing itself as one of the world's leading exporters. In 2023, Mexico exported over one million tons of avocados to the United States, with the Hass variety dominating the market. However, new varieties and innovations in cultivation methods are beginning to transform the landscape, offering new opportunities and presenting significant challenges.

Mexico's National Customs Agency (ANAM) reported that in 2023 the country exported just over 1,182,000 tons of avocados to the United States, of which 95.8% were fresh fruit, 2.9% were guacamole, and 1.3% were pulp. In this context, it is interesting to understand the current state of the industry and profitability projections from a variety perspective. Portalfruticola.com spoke with Luis Enrique Ortiz, founder of Grupo Enorma, one of Mexico's leading avocado nurseries, who indicated that currently 70% of exports are Hass avocados, 25% are Méndez, and the remaining 5% are Jiménez, Flor de María, and Maluma.

Ortiz explained that, although the Hass variety remains dominant, Hass orchards without irrigation systems are declining due to the age of the trees and climate change. On the other hand, newer varieties like Méndez and Maluma are gaining ground due to their earlier maturity and higher productivity. The industry is also facing challenges such as climate change, drought, and pressure to avoid expanding onto forested land. To mitigate these problems, new rootstocks are being used, and experiments are being conducted with substrate cultivation to increase productivity without deforestation. While not many new hectares are currently being planted, growers are focusing on improving their existing orchards, seeking more sustainable and profitable alternatives.

Source: portalfruticola.com