The growth of the Argentine market has sparked the interest of Chilean exporters, but structural differences with Europe still dictate the pace of its development as a destination for the fruit.

This season, Chile has shipped nearly 3,000 containers of fruit to Europe, a volume rapidly approaching the total recorded in 2024, when 3,136 containers were exported. Despite the strength of the European market, the most striking figure comes from the Southern Cone: Argentina has already far surpassed the 815 containers received throughout last year, reaching about a third of the volume that Chile has sent to Europe during 2025.

According to Avobook's data team, shipping patterns to both destinations have followed a similar pattern, with peak shipments at the beginning of the second half of the year. However, this year shows a significant shift: Europe has slowed its imports, while Argentina maintained high and stable volumes in the first few months. This trend reflects the growing importance of Argentina as an alternative export market, in a context where international prices are squeezing margins and producers are seeking new export options.

Consumption that withstands the recession

In this scenario, the Argentine market has shown an absorption capacity that surprises even the importers themselves. Miguel Bauzá, manager of the Mendoza-based company Don Jaime , summarizes it this way:

“Avocado consumption in Argentina continues to grow. It hasn't peaked yet, although the price did this year.”

The executive explains that, despite the economic recession affecting the country, demand has not decreased, but rather adjusted to new price levels. “Chile expected to export 15% more fruit, without considering the 20 to 25% recession in Argentina. This created a scenario of oversupply and falling prices,” he says.

The records back up his claim: so far this season, 90% more Chilean avocados have entered the country than last year, although the average price is half of what it was in 2024. “This was going to happen,” Bauzá explains. “This is a turning point for Argentina. After September, the price slowed down, but sales continued. Even with the price being a sacrifice, consumption has been increasing.”

The type of fruit that Argentina demands also sets it apart from the European market. According to Bauzá, the country has established itself as a natural destination for smaller sizes, which often don't find a place in Europe.

“The calibers that are most commonly sold here are 84 and 70, although 96 is also sold, due to its price, and 60, which is too expensive for the Argentine consumer,” he explains.

Added to this is a different way of consuming and presenting the fruit. In Argentina, avocados are mainly sold loose, without netting, and with a preference for green fruit. “Supermarkets ask for unripe avocados, which is very different from Chile, where they offer fruit ready for immediate consumption,” explains the businessman. These differences in format and post-harvest handling demonstrate that the Argentine market is still in a consolidation phase, with habits evolving as demand increases.

A year of adjustments and new players

The sharp increase in volumes to Argentina is also related to the entry of new importers who took advantage of the opening of foreign trade. “Argentina was heavily regulated in terms of imports for many years. When it was liberalized, some importers began bringing in products they didn't usually handle. This had a negative impact: those without the necessary infrastructure disappeared from the market,” explains Bauzá.

In this context, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year. The greater availability of Chilean fruit coincided with rising consumption, but also with a market still learning to manage prices, logistics, and product turnover. “Pivotal years are the ones that leave the players with networks and experience behind. Those who venture in unprepared are left behind,” adds the manager of Don Jaime .

Despite the adjustments, the underlying trend remains positive: Argentine avocado consumption has grown by more than 1,000 percent in the last eight years, driven by the product's steady incorporation into the local diet. And although new domestic plantations in provinces like Jujuy, Salta, and Tucumán show improvements in quality, they have not yet reached a volume sufficient to supply the domestic market.

For Chile, this dynamism represents an opportunity, though not yet a replacement. Argentina offers an attractive outlet for specific sizes and allows for diversification of export destinations, but it lacks the scale, stability, and purchasing power of the European market. Europe remains the primary driver of trade for Chilean fruit, both in terms of volume and price.

Even so, Argentina's consolidation as the second most important destination in South America opens a strategic door for Chilean exporters. It's a nearby market with high receptiveness and consumption that grows even during recessions.

In Bauzá's words, "the avocado has become a staple in the Argentine diet and hasn't reached its peak yet." And although replacing Europe seems unlikely in the short term, Argentina is no longer a secondary market: today it's a real alternative that, over time, could become a fundamental pillar of Chilean exports.