A great source of information on what's happening to produce around the world, including citrus, avocado, blueberries and occasionally cherimoya and star fruit but all things strawberry and lettuce and whatnot, I check daily on Fresh Plaza to see what's going on. Friday, April 17 has an overview of the world avocado industry. Check it out: FreshPlaza.com
OVERVIEW GLOBAL AVOCADO MARKET
Avocado bars may have had to close due to the coronavirus, but the demand for avocados has clearly not dropped. The season in the Northern Hemisphere is coming to an end and the production from countries such as Peru and South Africa is steadily increasing. The productions from Peru and South Africa in particular could clash on the market between weeks 17 and 22/23.
The Netherlands: Good avocado sales; shortage of larger sizes expected in the short term
The coronavirus crisis seems to be driving up the demand for avocados. A Dutch importer says that avocados are among the most sought-after categories, together with citrus and summer fruits. Peru and South Africa are the countries that will be supplying the fruit in the near future, although the importer says that the volumes arriving are still small. "In the short term, I foresee a shortage for the larger sizes. Of course, that can change later in the season, but now the demand for Hass avocados is particularly good. Sales prices range between 12 and 14 Euro (4 kg) for sizes 14-20 and between 11 and 12 Euro for the smaller sizes.
Belgium: Trade going well
Germany: Low demand due to start of German strawberry season
France: The logistics is causing headaches at supermarkets
Spain: High demand will cause season to end earlier
Italy: Shift from Hass to Greenskin avocados
South Africa: Larger volumes this year; formidable competitor for Peru in Europe
Mexico: Higher prices than usual
Colombia: Avocado cultivation continues to expand in the country
United States: California almost had surpluses
California's avocado production is strong this year. Growers have already harvested 21.2 tons, compared to 2.3 tons around the same period last year. This time we can speak of a normal avocado harvest. The avocado industry in the US has been holding its breath for the past two weeks, given the threat of an avocado surplus. The rainfall, which temporarily brought the harvest to a halt, and a decline in Mexico's production over the holidays have prevented an excessive accumulation of stocks.
The demand has shifted to the retail. Not only has the coronavirus played a part in this, but also the large volumes and strong demand early this season. Almost imperceptibly, the avocado market in the United States has undergone a major shift. First, the volumes skyrocketed, but then the situation changed radically due to the closing of food service establishments and the hoarding in supermarkets. It remains to be seen what will happen in the coming weeks, but sales to the food service will be very meager. "I don't know anyone in this business who isn't concerned," says someone from the California Avocado Commission. It is also unclear how prices will develop in the coming weeks. Prices skyrocketed when people started hoarding, but then plummeted again and now seem to be stabilizing somewhat.
China: Avocado market slowly picking up again; imports from Peru and Philippines
Australia and New Zealand: Campaign to promote local production
Publication date: Fri 17 Apr 2020
© FreshPlaza.com
