Peruvian Avocado Exports to China Surge in 2023

According to the Exporters Association of Peru (ADEX), the South American country’s fresh avocado exports in 2023 reached $995 million and 617,540 metric tons, corresponding to year-on-year increases of 9.9% and 3.5% in terms of value and volume, respectively. The market price of Peruvian avocados also rose slightly in 2023 to an average of $1.62 per kilogram, with the Hass variety accounting for 88.4% of the total export volume.

In terms of export destinations, the Chinese market showed the largest growth last year, with the export value demonstrating a 60.6% increase to hit $64.7 million. Other Asian markets also saw upticks, such as Japan ($30.4 million, +7.9%) and Hong Kong ($19.1 million, +20.5%), whereas a decline was recorded for South Korea ($16.5 million, −15.9%). The largest decrease, however, was witnessed in shipments to the United States ($145 million, −40.0%), which was somewhat offset by stronger demand from several European countries, including the Netherlands ($307 million, +15.8%), Spain ($191 million, +45.9%) and the United Kingdom ($79.3 million, +33.1%), as well as neighboring Chile ($96.5 million, +43.2%).

After unfavorable weather, particularly high temperatures and heavy rains that impacted production, Peru’s avocado export campaign this year is expected to be mediocre. The main indicators of this, according to Juan Carlos Paredes, president of the Peruvian Hass Avocado Growers Association (ProHass), are the occurrence of fruit drop and smaller fruit size. Paredes also noted that under normal circumstances Peru would be able to export 700,000 metric tons of the Hass variety in 2024, but instead the export volume is predicted to drop by 20–25%.

Paredes further highlighted that although Peru’s coastal regions are all expected to see production declines ranging from 15% to 30%, the country’s highland region, known as the Sierra, is witnessing an exceptional crop. In terms of markets, Paredes said that the goal for this year is to allocate a higher volume to the United States because this season’s Mexican avocados are expected to be smaller, thus creating an opportunity for Peruvian growers. With respect to Asian markets, Paredes noted that they are already being supplied with high-quality fruit from the Sierra.

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