Peruvian Avocado Exports: Value Surges Amid Volume Downturn

As of week 33, 499,000 metric tons of avocados worth $1.044 billion had been exported from Peru to global markets, according to a report from Peruvian media outlet Agraria.pe. Compared with the same period of last year, this corresponds to a 12% decrease in export volume but an 11% increase in export value.

These statistics were released by Peruvian market research firm Fluctuante, which attributed the rise in export value to higher avocado prices, which in August averaged $2.16 per kilogram — an impressive growth of 31%.

Between weeks 1 and 33, fresh Peruvian avocados were supplied to 35 overseas markets, with the Netherlands remaining the primary export destination. Exports to the European country totaled 160,000 metric tons, or 32% of Peru’s total avocado shipments worldwide. Although the volume saw a 12% year-on-year decrease, profitability grew as a result of the better market prices. Spain represented another important market, absorbing 101,000 metric tons of Peruvian avocados and accounting for a 20% share of total exports.

Similar to the Netherlands, shipments to Spain witnessed a drop in export volume amounting to 3% but an increase in export value on account of the higher prices. The United States came in third position with 67,000 metric tons of exports, or 13% of the overall volume. Thus, the United States continued to be one of Peru’s top trade partners, even though shipments to this market dropped by 10%. Chile followed closely behind, securing a 12% share and remaining the main export destination for Peruvian avocados in South America. Peru’s exports to Asian markets are estimated at 51,000 metric tons, down 32% from the same period of the previous year.

It is worth noting that, despite an overall decline in export volume, the export value increased in practically all major markets except the United Kingdom, which was the only market to experience a fall in both volume and value but nonetheless managed to secure a share of 7%.

Among Peru’s main avocado exporting companies, Westfalia Fruit Perú S.A.C. consolidated its position as the country’s leading exporter with a 6% share and 32,000 metric tons of shipments. Avocado Packing Company secured the second place, with a 5% share and an export volume of 25,000 metric tons. This year, the company’s business performance was not at its peak, as reflected by a 39% drop in export value and a 54% decline in export volume. Agrícola Cerro Prieto also reported 25,000 metric tons of exports, which accounted for 5% of the total. This enterprise has continued its expansion in key markets such as the United States and Europe. Rounding up the top five avocado exporters were Camposol and Virú, which shipped 22,000 metric tons and 18,000 metric tons, respectively.

In terms of production regions, Peru’s fresh avocado exports this year primarily came from Lima, La Libertad, Ica and Lambayeque. According to the Peruvian Hass Avocado Growers Association (ProHass), the avocado season in Peru is now coming to an end. Because of the limited supply in Peru and Chile, prices have been trending higher over the last few weeks. In regard to other Southern Hemisphere suppliers, South Africa and Colombia have already moved on to the next growing season, meaning that there are no longer avocados available for export. With just 1,154 containers remaining to be sent, Peru’s overall avocado export volume as of Aug. 26 was 22,178 containers, or roughly 510,000 metric tons.

Image: Unsplash

This article was based on a Chinese article. Read the original article.