Recently, the State of Jalisco in Mexico received approval to begin exporting its avocados to the US. “It is very exciting for us as historically, our avocados from Jalisco have only been exported to overseas export markets, primarily the Middle East,” says one source with Continuous Harvest. “To be able to finally bring avocados produced in Jalisco into the U.S. is exciting.”
While the company’s main market for Jalisco-grown avocados is the Middle East, other Jalisco avocado exporters have top destination markets in Asia, Europe, and Canada as well. However, with the new regulations, many exporters will add the US to their top destinations. “We’ve started partnering with more producers in the state of Jalisco to expand our supply in that region. Once we’re officially given the green light later this year, we will be ready to bring avocados from Jalisco to the US,” commented the source.
Right now, for the US market, Continuous Harvest’s supply is strictly from Michoacán, Mexico. Michoacán is well known as being the avocado capital of the world. “Michoacán is not only Mexico’s but the world’s leading avocado-producing region,” said the source. “Having said that, Jalisco is actually the second largest agricultural avocado-producing state in Mexico.” According to a USDA Foreign Agricultural Services report published in October of 2021, for the ’20-21 season, Jalisco had approximately 51,694 acres dedicated to avocado cultivation, with Michoacán sitting at about 410,350 acres for that same planting year. Although there is quite a discrepancy in acreage, Jalisco is still very productive. According to that same report, the state produced about 250,000 tons of avocados in the ’20-’21 season, and acreage is quickly increasing. Each year, more and more acres are being dedicated to avocado production.
New competition
“Some Michoacan exporters I’ve spoken to are admittedly nervous about newfound competition from Jalisco for the US market,” they said. Currently, Michoacán is the only Mexican state permitted to export avocados to the US and some producers, packers, exporters, and shippers worry that this new proposal could threaten their own US exports. “Personally, I believe many Michoacan exporters don’t have much to worry about. They’ll always have a steady and abundant supply. Although competition will increase and may slightly affect some Michoacán exporters, I don’t think will cause too much contention. “The demand for avocados is ever-increasing so I personally believe there’s room for both states in the US market.” This is a wonderful opportunity for Jalisco as it will greatly increase the economic profitability for exporters across the state. “We personally plan on maintaining our relations with our Michoacán partners while also exploring newfound relations with new partners in Jalisco,” they shared.
Paralleled fruit quality
“Many buyers might be hesitant about trying new products, but avocados from both states are, in my opinion, paralleled in quality,” they continued. It’s no secret that Michoacán has wonderful and top-quality fruit, but so does Jalisco, specifically the areas that border Michoacán. Much of the soil topography and soil structure is the same, leading to paralleled fruit quality. A majority of Jalisco possesses sandy soil and avocado trees thrive in these well-aerated and loose soils. Much of the soils of Jalisco are also rich in organic matter due to their volcanic origin, making much of the region an ideal place for avocado cultivation.
“Buyers can be confident that Jalisco fruit is ultimately the same as avocados from Michoacán and they will know which region the fruit originates.” Just like with fruit from Michoacán, fruit from Jalisco is analyzed before receiving its phytosanitary certification and given the green light to be exported into the US. At the start of every harvest, a sample of a handful of avocados is sent to a lab for analysis and only once producers get the OK that permitted measurements are safe, are they granted the phytosanitary certificate needed to export the fruit into the US.
For more information:
Continuous Harvest LLC
www.continuous-harvest.com