Posts Tagged “Mexican avocado shipments”
Avocado shipments from Mexico in 2024 for avocados is forecast to be up 5% over 2023, according to a new USDA report.
The Mexican avocado annual report, issued in early April, pegged the country’s avocado production in 2024 at 2.77 million metric tons, up from 23.65 million metric tons in 2023 on strong export demand.
Exports will continue to grow in 2024.
he U.S. is the top market for Mexican avocados, accounting for 81% of total export shipments. The U.S. is followed by Canada, Japan and Spain.
Mexican avocado output has grown dramatically in the last decade, fueled by global demand for avocados. The USDA said production grew nearly 75% between 2014 and 2023, reaching 2.65 million metric tons and making Mexico the No. 1 avocado producer globally.
Mexico’s avocado exports totaled 1.4 million metric tons in 2023, up 17% compared to 2022 exports of 1.2 million metric tons.
“The past five years have seen a significant increase in avocado production, especially in the Valley Region of Jalisco, as producers diversify their crop mix to include avocados, or completely eliminate corn, wheat, and pasture area in favor of avocado orchards,” the report said.
With planted area growing 46% between 2014 and 2023, the government of Mexico estimates Mexican avocado planted area (i.e. area with mature, productive trees) at nearly 636,500 acres in 2023, up 2% from 2022.
Mexico is the No. 1 avocado supplier to the U.S., the report said, accounting for 89% of U.S. avocado imports, followed by Peru (6%) and the Dominican Republic (4%).
Mexico’s 2023 avocado exports comprised 96% fresh product, 3% guacamole and 1% pulp for further processing. The December to February timeframe accounts for 33% of exports, with the Super Bowl being one of the biggest demand drivers for Mexico’s avocado exports to the U.S.
Avocados ranked fourth in value among Mexico’s agricultural exports in 2023, after beer, tequila and berries.
With a forecasted 5% growth in production for 2024, the Mexican avocado industry continues to reign supreme. A recent report by the USDA puts this year’s production at 2.77 million tons as trade and demand remain strong.
The United States is the largest importer of Mexican avocados, taking 81% of shipments. Exports to the U.S. were valued at USD$2.7 billion in 2023. Canada, Japan, and Spain complete the podium as top buyers.
Until July 2022, Michoacán was the only Mexican avocado-producing state eligible to export to the United States. With Jalisco entering the game, overall exports rose 17% year-on-year in 2023.
Production has grown steadily during the past ten years, mostly due to increasing demand, as well as rising domestic consumption. According to official data, annual per capita avocado consumption in Mexico grew from about 18 pounds in 2021 to nearly 24 pounds in 2023.
However, Mexicans continue to see avocados as a luxury item, and the fruit is not included in the basic food basket defined by the government.
Between 2014 and 2023, production volumes grew nearly 75%, reaching 2.65 million tons. These figures have kept Mexico well-grounded as the number one avocado producer globally.
Additional data from Mexico’s Agri-Food and Fisheries Information System (SIAP) said production reached 2.65 million tons in 2023. This was a 4% increase year-on-year.
Acreage has also seen exponential growth, going from 434,757 acres in 2014 to 636,471 in 2023.
Mexican avocado volumes have plunged resulting in greater demand California product, according to a weekly update by California Avocado Society.
The Ventura-based non-profit reported a 15% increase in California avocado yields two weeks ago, with field quotes rising about 25% in the past two weeks.
With this, California avocado field prices are the highest they’ve been all season.
Higher temperatures are urging producers in southern California to harvest more heavily, and the organization projected a 13-14 million pound harvest for the first week of July.
Late season Mexican avocado imports amounted to only 25 million pounds, and the more ripe fruit quality shortens its shelf-life.
This has left the U.S. market needing more, but shipments from California and Peru remain too low to supply the growing demand.
As theFourth of July approached, the industry had low inventories, which were below 50 million pounds.
The imbalance in the market may require several weeks to right itself, the non-profit says.
“The…crop was unable to fill the gap left by the Mexican sector, because it wasn’t released for export to the U.S. until this week. Jalisco’s Mendez crop also was released for export this week,” California Avocado Society said in a release.
As for varieties, GEM-brand from Westfalia has slowed as its season winds down. Lamb Hass is catching this good pricing window just as harvest ramps up.
Mexico’s supplies are expected to bounce back in a few weeks.
Mission Produce of Oxnard, CA has shipped 14 percent more avocados during its fiscal first quarter of 2023 for the period ending Jan. 31, 2023, compared to the same time last year.
The company attributes its growth during economic uncertainty and fluctuations to its unmatched global network of distribution, ripening and other assets. This growth also outpaced the avocado industry as a whole.
In total, Mission sold 152.3 million pounds of avocados during the first quarter, a press release stated. Higher volume was driven by greater output from Mexico. The company’s gross profit also increased by $8.5 million during the first quarter compared to the same period last year, to $9 million.
For the second quarter of the fiscal year 2023, Mission is expecting volumes to be higher versus the prior year, primarily to a larger Mexican harvest, which is 20 percent higher compared to the prior harvest season.
Following a summer of light volume avocado shipments, the U.S. market has opened up significantly this fall as supplies have increased plenty of imported Mexican fruit.
Calavo Growers Inc. of Santa Paula CA reports shipments through January are looking good and appear similar to last year.
The Hass Avocado Board of Mission Viejo, CA projected 2021 volume from Mexico, including projections for November and December, to reach about 2.4 billion pounds. That’s up slightly from 2.2 billion pounds in 2020.
Del Rey Avocado Co. Inc., of Fallbrook, CA anticipates a strong season out of Mexico with volume similar to last year.
College and professional football games, holiday parties and promotions by Avocados From Mexico all should contribute to strong shipments.
This year’s California season is complete with some avocados being imported from Chile and Colombia, but Mexico will be the primary supplier until early February, when California starts again.
Mexican avocado production is forecast to fall by 8% from the previous season, according to a USDA report.
The country is expected to produce 2.33 million metric tons (MMT) between July 2021 and June 2022, following a record volume year in the previous season.
“Growers state that they are expecting needed tree recovery after record productivity and production (especially in Michoacán) in the MY 2020/21 season,” the report said.
“Additionally, insufficient rainfall and high temperatures are likely to reduce production and yields in non-Michoacan producing states.”
Mexico is forecasted to export 1.33 MMT in 2021-22, 8% lower than the previous season, on lower production. Exports to the U.S. are forecasted at 1.04 MMT.
Michoacán, the only state with phytosanitary approvals to export to the U.S. typically exports approximately 85 percent of production.
Profit margins for export to the U.S. are typically more than 50 percent higher than supplies sold to the domestic market. Michoacán also exported 22 percent greater volumes in 2020/21 than the previous MY to non-U.S. markets, on increased production. Canada, Japan, and Spain were the main destinations.
International demand for avocados from Mexico continues to increase, and producers without access to the U.S. market continue to seek international markets with higher profitability than the domestic market. Jalisco exported 26 percent more volume than the previous marketing year in 2020/21, mainly to Japan, Canada, France and Spain.
Planted and harvested areas are forecasted at 561,240 acres and 558,235 acres respectively, with a national yield of 10.30 metric tons per acre.
Harvest reaches peak from October to February, with average supply from March to May, and low season from June to September.
Annual per capita consumption is seven kilograms (approximately 15 pounds) per person. While a staple in Mexican cuisine, avocado consumption has not grown in recent years because of high prices driven by increased international demand.
Mexican fruits and veggies crossing through South Texas – grossing about $4200 to Chicago.
Peruvian avocado exports have been largely focused on Europe during the opening stages of its season, but the industry now sees a market opportunity in the U.S.
Mexican avocado shipments are in a seasonal decline. Until now the South American country’s options in the U.S. have been limited due to heavy volumes from the world’s largest exporter. Mexico shipped 50 to 70 million pounds a week during April.
Peru is expected to be supply most of the U.S. market during July and August. The season will likely wind down in September.
Peru is expecting exports of around 360,000 metric tons (MT) this season, which would mark a 25 percent increase over last year. The country also is starting exports to Asian markets including Taiwan, South Korea, India and Japan.
Peru has significantly extended its season on the front-end due to orchards in new northern growing regions coming into production.
About 2 billion pounds of avocados from Mexico this season — an increase of about 6 percent over last year, are expected to be handled by U.S. importers.
Mexican avocado shipments are heaviest from October through May, although ships take place the year around..
McDaniel Fruit Co. of Fallbrook, CA sees good quality and volume imports coming from Mexico.
Calavo Growers Inc. of Santa Paula, CA expects steady avocado shipments with peak loadings taking place from January to April. Volume will start declining by the end of March or mid-April.
Del Rey Avocado Co. Inc., of Fallbrook, CA sees plenty of volume from Mexico until about June 1st. The company also does not expect a repeat of last season when a sharp decline in volume began in late May and early June.
Instead, the company expects shipments to be more steady throughout the season with a few spikes for special occasions such as the Super Bowl and Cinco de Mayo.
West Pak Avocado Inc. of Murrieta, CA sees good quality and significantly more shipments this season from Mexico.
The Giumarra Cos. of Los Angeles believes steady volume best describes this season.
Mexican avocado shipments should pick up as fall progresses after experiencing a shortfall this summer.
Mexico’s flora loca — or off bloom — crop peaked recently, and this will be followed by the aventajada crop in September with good volume in October as main shipments get underway. Both California and Peru avocado seasons will be over by this time.
Calavo Growers Inc. of Santa Paula, CA reports peak flavor for Mexican avocados comes between November and June. The company expects Mexico to have a larger crop next year, with December through June looking good for big volume from Mexico.
Healthy Avocado Inc of Berkeley, CA report by October, Mexico will be trucking up to 1,400 loads of avocados per week into the U.S.
Eco Farms of Temecula, CA expects good, steady Mexican avocado volume until mid- to late September, which should be followed by big volume.
Mission Produce of Oxnard, CA agrees August and September were modest for Mexican avocado shipments with good volume arriving by mid- to late October, when the main crop matures.
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Fewer Mexican avocado shipments are expected through September as there will be a transition from the old to the new crop.
Mission Produce Inc. of Oxnard, CA expects both the size of the fruit as well as the tonnage out of Mexico to be off a little through most of the month of September as the industry moves into the flora loca — or off-bloom — avocado crop, which bridges the gap between the old crop and the aventajada crop, which will get underway in the fall.
The company does not expect to see huge tonnage from the flora loca crop, although the fruit size should be fairly normal, but will lean toward the smaller sizes.
Although finding big fruit was a challenge in August and continues to be in September, for a driver hauling product, it doesn’t matter.
There also is expected to be higher quality avocados from the flora loca crop, than with the old crop, where the percentage of No. 2-grade fruit exceeded 20 percent.
Calavo Growers Inc. of Santa Paula, CA has noted the current summer crop from Mexico is pretty good, but it is not great. However, the company expects to see good volume out of Mexico this fall, similar to last year.
2016 was the first year Mexico had a smaller crop for export to the U.S., and now Mexico is coming back with its second good crop in a row.
The Giumarra Cos. of Los Angeles observes the Mexico avocado season has several blooms, allowing the country to ship product the year-round. As a result, Giumarra and many other U.S. avocado shippers rely heavily on Mexico.
Currently, California avocado shipments are winding down as the season comes to a close. Meanwhile, the Mexican flora loca crop is comparatively light. This is very typical as July, August and September always have fewer avocado shipments.