As avocados grow in popularity across the world, several Latin American countries continue to rise in the production and/or exporting of the popular green fruit. Below is a quick snapshot on a few up and comers.
Peru
Having exported $722.3 million in avocados in 2018, according to World’s Top Exports (WTEx), Peru stands at No.2 (outside of Mexico) in Latin America in the dollar amount exported in avocados.
El Comercio reports that from January to June of 2019 Peru has risen to $581 million, an increase of 10.3% compared to the same time period last year, putting them at No.3 in the world regarding exports of avocados.
The Directorate of Monitoring and Evaluation of Policies (DGESEP) told El Comercio that the principal markets for Peruvian avocados were Netherlands (33.8%), the U.S. (27.9%), and Spain (14.7%); together, these three countries amount to 76.5% of the total exports so far for 2019.
Chile
WTEx reports Chile to have exported $323.2 million worth of avocado in 2018, putting them third in Latin America. While the country is facing a difficult time in the Northern region near Coquimbo due to droughts, overall figures expect to be similar to last seasons.
In a press release by the Minister of Agriculture, Antonio Walker, he states that there is a drought emergency in the region of Coquimbo due to a rainfall deficit of 88% which is affecting a large number of farmers and small producers.
The agricultural authority and the national director of the Institute for Agricultural Development (INDAP), Carlos Recondo, met with representative from 15 of the municipalities in the region of Coquimbo and implemented a plan of more than $2.3 billion dollars between different agricultural sectors.
Aside from this, Karen Brux from Fruits From Chile, said Chile shipped 9,600 boxes of avocados during week 29, and temperatures have not been too low as to indicate any freezing. She mentions that Chile exported roughly 65 million pounds of avocados last season, and growers there expect similar figures this season.
Colombia
According to WTEx’s findings, Colombia exported $62.7 million worth of avocados in 2018, which puts them fourth in Latin America. WTEx also reports Colombia as being the fastest growing avocado exporter since 2014, being up 1,656%.
That growth trend continues, as iQonsulting reports that over five years Colombia moved from 1,700 to 30,000 tons exported in 2018. While currently this year, shipments from January 1 to July 21 (week 29) add up to 27,000 tons, 50% more than the accumulated amount this time last year.
This year more countries have begun receiving Colombian avocados. Among those new destinations is Chile which has received 145 tons. With other existing destinations receiving a higher volume, such as the U.S. with 910 tons, more than three times the total amount shipped in 2018 and Saudi Arabia with 408 tons, almost 10 times the amount shipped in 2018.
