Juan Enrique Lazo, general manager of the Hass Avocado Committee, stated that drought was strongly affecting the Region IV, as 25% of the avocado area had had to be uprooted and there was a strong possibility that that number would increase to 50%.
How much was exported in the first months of this year?
Since January, to date, we’ve exported a total of 52,529 tons of Hass avocado, i.e. 225% more than in the same time period of 2013.
What are your sales projections?
We expect to produce 150,000 tons of Hass avocado this season. In recent seasons we’ve sold nearly 50% of our production to the domestic market.
Will you raise prices this year?
We believe that export prices should be somewhat higher next season.
How much have the frost and the current drought affected production?
The drought is leaving the Fourth Region out of the national stage, as they have already lost 25% of their area and that can increase to 50%. The frost of 2013 did not affect the production when compared to the initial estimates, as these were too low, but the amount of fruit loss was of about 10% when compared to what was really harvested.
Did profits improve because of the rising dollar?
The exchange rate is the stone in our shoe and, depending on it, our businesses are profitable or not. This year, the nearly $90 increase was the salvation for many producers nationwide. I imagine there are very few farmers using forwards. They are at the mercy of the currency’s changes in price.
Source: Estrategia