Peruvian avocado exports started in January, but the 2024 crop experienced small volumes of fruit from the inter-Andean valleys, especially compared to the large volumes that are estimated to leave the country in April and May, according the Association of Hass Avocado Producers and Exporters of Peru (ProHass).
As reported by Agraria, about 93 percent of the avocados exported from Peru are the Hass variety, the most exported in the world. In 2022, 554,000 tons of Peruvian Hass avocados were exported; in 2023, there were 558,000; reflecting growth of about 1 percent.
This year Peru expects to export about 468,000 tons of Hass avocados, which would mean a drop of 16 percent compared to last year, although it could be larger. There have been unfavorable weather conditions for cultivation.
Since there are no longer new areas of expansion, each climatic blow will be felt in the export figures; when it is growing. The adverse weather events are hidden by the new hectares that enter, but Peru is no longer expanding as it did.
There are several factors that are contributing to less overall volume this season. Mexico is already finishing its heavy volume of the season, with less production; California comes with smaller fruit and a drop of between 20-30 percent; Chile is no longer a player that moves the needle anywhere in the world, as they consume everything they produce and have problems with the availability of water; Spain volume is being impacted because of a water issue; Portugal has already stopped its growth, they also had problems with water availability; Some African countries such as Senegal, Tanzania, Morocco, and South Africa are growing, but they do not compete with the Peruvian avocado, as they go to other destinations such as the Middle East, they also go to Europe.