With many of Florida’s avocado farms under quarantine this season, sunshine state avocado growers outside of the quarantine’s boundaries are reporting strong prices thanks to lower than typical supplies.Michael Gomez of New Limeco, a Princeton, FL, based company whose 800 acres of avocado groves were largely unaffected by the quarantine, reports that business has been strong for growers with product. “It’s been real busy on the Florida side of the industry,” Gomez says.
According to Gomez, a USDA quarantine put in place to combat oriental fruit flies meant that several of New Limeco’s competitors faced tighter regulations, higher costs, and lower supply levels for the 2015/2016 winter season. East coast imports were further limited by a USDA ban on produce out of the Dominican Republic, also due to similar pest concerns. That ban, put in place in March of last year, was not lifted until earlier this month.
Though unsure of exact figures, Gomez says that the drop in supply has been significant, causing prices to nearly double over typical figures for this time of year. Gomez notes that New Limeco is currently selling flat boxes at $14.00 and double trays at $25.00.
Of current market conditions, Gomez says that while low supply levels have been beneficial for growers unaffected by the quarantine, he believes the situation has had a damaging effect on Florida’s avocado industry as a whole.
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For more information:
Michael Gomez
New Limeco
Tel: +1 (305) 258-1611
+1 (305) 258-1611
+1 (305) 258-1611