Westfalia Fruit Peru is betting on new avocado varieties to lead the market

After exporting 45,000 tons of avocados in 2023, Westfalia Fruit Peru seeks to lead the market with new varieties such as GEM® and Lamb Hass.

In 2023, Westfalia Fruit Peru, a subsidiary of the multinational Westfalia Group, positioned itself as the second-largest avocado exporter in Peru, with a total of 45,000 tons exported. The majority of these shipments went to Asia (40%) and Europe (39%), while 16% went to the United States and 5% to Latin America. This year, the company expects to lead Peruvian avocado exports, driven by the diversification of its markets and the adoption of new varieties such as GEM® and Lamb Hass, which extend the marketing window until mid-October.

Omar Díaz Marchena, general manager of Westfalia Fruit Peru, emphasizes that they are testing these new varieties with their partner growers, supported by the company's technical team. The GEM® variety, which ripens later than Hass, and the Lamb Hass, known for its larger size, offer the possibility of maintaining international shipments during periods of low market availability. Furthermore, GEM® promises 20% higher productivity compared to Hass, benefiting both growers and the company.

Westfalia Fruit Group operates not only in Peru, but also in Chile, Colombia, Portugal, and several African countries, adapting its production to the specific market windows of each region. In Peru, most avocados are grown on the arid coast using advanced irrigation systems. Production is also increasing in the highlands, while a small portion comes from the rainforest. This diversification in production and the adoption of new varieties position Westfalia Fruit Peru as a potential leader in the global avocado market.

Source: gestion.pe