Spanish avocado season to end a month earlier with very high prices

The Spanish avocado campaign is already at an advanced stage; so much so, that it is expected to end one month earlier this year, at the end of May, due to the lower yields and high demand. In fact, the prices paid are some of the highest.

"Spanish avocados have been the most appreciated in the European markets so far this campaign," commented José Antonio Alcochel, father and son, in their stand at Fruit Logistica, Berlin. The box currently costs around 14 Euro and could reach 16 Euro by the end of February. "Avocados are now at their prime in terms of ripening and fat content."

"Moreover, at the moment, Chile is already finishing and there are hardly any avocados left in Colombia, while Peru is just starting with small volumes, since its fruit doesn't yet have enough fat," they explained. "Then there's Mexico, which after the Super Bowl in the United States is trying to introduce more avocados at aggressive prices in Europe, where their quality is generally not as appreciated."

Alcoaxarquía has just opened a new subsidiary in Peru, with production contracted to local growers and where it will implement its technical assistance, in addition to packing the product in situ. "This will allow us to have our own avocado production during the 365 days of the year, controlling one hundred percent of the product's traceability," they say.

For now, Alcoaxarquía Peru will work exclusively with avocados, mainly of the Hass variety, and to a lesser extent of the Fuerte. It should also be noted that 40% of the avocado production will be organic.

"In the future, we plan to start working with other products, such as ginger, mango, sweet potato, turmeric and cherimoya," they say. Alcoaxarquía has also expanded its capacity in Malaga with a new 3,700 square metre plant equipped with packaging and storage lines for conventional and organic avocados.