“Sales on the current Hass avocado market are rather difficult. For the time of year, decent volumes are coming this way. This is because there are many different countries of origin for this product," says Ive Lambert of the Belgian company, Starfruit.
"There is a lot of supply from Colombia and Mexico. Besides these countries, Spain and Morocco are also on the market. Plus, the first volumes are already arriving from Peru. And, in a couple of weeks, the first South African avocados will arrive too."
"The Chilean season is coming to an end. It is starting to falter. So, prices are expected to increase", she explains. In contrast, green avocados are doing very well. This is as a result of a limited supply, which means prices are very good for this time of year.
Peru
Last year, Peru sent large volumes of avocados to Europe. "This year, we will have to wait and see how much Peru will send. Last year, they said the season was over, but product kept coming. Many new plantations have been established in that country over the last few years. These are increasingly coming into production," Ive continues.
"At the end of the season, large quantities of avocados were coming in from lesser known exporters. This means the amounts were misjudged. We are expecting slightly less volume this year. However, a lot can still happen."
"In four to six weeks the larger volumes will arrive. Only then will we be able to identify a trend compared to last year," the importer says.
“The Chilean avocado season started a little later. This is because Peru's season lasted so long last year. Chile began later because prices were extremely low. They first sent their avocados to the United States. Chile works with fixed sales which means you get unfavorable prices. Not a single European importer will pay these prices."
"The Hass avocado's quality is also better, in terms of ripening, at the end of the season than at the beginning. Its shelf life is a bit shorter, but the taste and oil quality are better. This means it takes a few days less for the avocados to ripen. Importers, therefore, have to make up their minds quickly," concludes Ive.
For more information:
Ive Lambert
Starfruit Company
112-154 Werkhuizenkaai
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: +32(0) 224 208 76
Email: starfruit@starfruit.be
www.star-fruit.eu