According to the Hass Avocado Board, about 35 to 40 million pounds of avocados are moved in the US in an average week. This is the combined volume of all growing regions that are in season. Mexico usually represents the majority of volume unless California is at peak production. During the weeks of October 3 and October 10, the Mexican avocado volume crossing the US border amounted to 13.7 and 8.5 million pounds respectively. These numbers compare to 44 and 40 million pounds during the same weeks last year. Low Mexican crossings in combination with the tail-end of California’s season, resulted in a total volume of 12.1 million pounds being shipped in the week of October 10. This is the lowest volume recorded since July 2009 and prices have soared as a result.
Mexican volume now going up
“Growers in Mexico now have started picking what is considered the normal crop,” says Wayne Brydon with Del Rey Avocado. “It will take some time to fill up the pipeline, but we should see sufficient volume for the next six months,” mentioned Brydon. Last week, Mexico’s avocado crossings into the US had already increased to 51.7 million pounds. “It looks like Mexico will have a decent crop this season.”
California’s avocado season has ended and the state’s total avocado crop size was almost 400 million pounds. “Next year’s crop is expected to be 50-60 percent of this year’s crop size because of water shortage,” shared Brydon. Parts of the state are struggling to get enough water. Because of a significantly smaller production forecast, Brydon expects the window of harvest to be shorter next season. Instead of February, he thinks harvest will start in March and continue through August. “There will be enough volume for Cinco de Mayo and Labor Day, the prime marketing times for California avocados,” Brydon concluded.