"Spanish Hass avocado season to finish earlier due to high European demand"

The Spanish Hass avocado season is currently at a more advanced stage than usual and will finish within about a month and a half. For this reason, companies like Sigfridod S.L.U. are already contacting overseas suppliers to be ready for an early start of the off-season campaign.

"The window for Spanish avocados has opened a month earlier this season, so the end of the campaign will arrive earlier due to the current high demand. A lot of fruit is being shipped to the European market very quickly; nevertheless, we can ensure continuity of supply with avocados from Peru, South Africa and Kenya, as well as mangoes from Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Peru," explains Sigfrido Molina, manager of Sigfrido S.L.U.

Spanish avocado prices at origin are still high; a factor which ultimately pushes retail prices up.

"My European clients have accepted these prices to a greater or lesser extent, as they appreciate the quality of Spanish fruit as the best available in the market right now. The avocados reach optimum ripeness levels, with between 24 and 25 grams of dry matter," says Sigfrido Molina. Furthermore, he adds that "the pressure from Chile and Israel has been insignificant in Europe, and although Colombia is gradually growing as an exporter, at the moment this doesn't affect us, since Colombia already passed its peak a month ago."

The young company from Malaga, founded in 2013 and specialised in tropical fruits, has increased its turnover by more than 20% in the past year. It has also opened a new 800 square metre warehouse with both cold chambers and room for handling. Additionally, Sigfrido is starting to expand its business outside Europe, reaching countries of the Mediterranean basin and the Middle East.