Global Overview: Avocados
2022-04-18 
2022-04-18 Article by: Hari Yellina
Avocados are still as popular as ever around the world, with sales in most regions maintaining relatively consistent despite ongoing logistical challenges and rising costs. Some are even doing better than normal, with an unusually healthy market for this time of year in France. Some countries will not be exporting to Russia this year, raising concerns that the current Russian invasion of Ukraine may result in an overstock. The anticipated price increase at the conclusion of the season in Spain has not materialised, which is unpleasant for those that clung onto supply for this reason. Concerns have also been raised in several places over manufacturing. Avocado production in Mexico is substantially lower than usual, while climate change in Italy has resulted in lesser production, which is causing alarm among many growers. Meanwhile, despite a smaller supply, Australia has had a relatively good season, since an increase in the avocado’s value has more than compensated for the decrease in production.
As Easter approaches in France, the avocado market is somewhat balanced compared to previous years. This is partly because the avocado supply from Spain and Israel is still available, although it was running out in past years. Because of the increased supply of Mediterranean species on the market this winter, shop promotions are more appealing to consumers, boosting consumption and allowing exporters to provide a high-quality product. Spain, Morocco, Israel, Chile, Colombia, Peru, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Guatemala, and Portugal are among the sources currently available. According to the World Health Organization, France remains the top European avocado eater in terms of volume, with 3,1 kg per capita.
While numerous fruits are now on sale, avocados are not one of them. “Currently, there is enough supply on the market. South Africa is sending both Greenskin and Hass avocados, Peru is sending a considerable quantity, and Kenyan avocados are plentiful. As a result, prices are being squeezed. The sales are going well ahead of the Easter weekend, although prices are under pressure “According to a Dutch importer.
The avocado season in Australia has changed from Shepard to Hass, and it is likely to last until early next year in all growing locations. Despite volumes falling by 11% to 78,085 tonnes, the value of avocados increased by 13% to $488.7 million in the year ended June 2021, according to the latest statistics. Following a successful trade fair in Tokyo in January, Australia’s leading avocado industry organisation is optimistic about increased export potential for producers, particularly in the Japanese market.
Overall, Hass volumes for the calendar year 2021 were a bumper crop, precisely as the industry had expected. According to a spokesman from the industry: “Last calendar year, we produced over 110,000 tonnes, which was a significant rise over the previous year. As a result, the home market was under a lot of pressure, with prices that the industry hadn’t seen in decades. Although it was a difficult year, we were more price competitive in our export markets, allowing us to grow our market share in a number of them.” At certain times of the year, avocados in Australia cost less than a dollar per. Domestically, flooding in Central Australia early in the year caused transportation problems when shipping fruit from Western Australia, which was smack in the thick of their Hass season.
Meanwhile, the avocado crop in New Zealand recorded a record export volume and total crop volume in the 2020-21 season. Avocados were gathered in 45,304 tonnes, with 4.8 million trays (5.5kg) transported to 11 export markets, up 10% from the previous season. In 2020, the Bay of Plenty produced 54 percent of New Zealand’s avocados, with the Northland accounting for 39 percent.