The Moroccan avocado season has begun for green-skin varieties, although most of the early harvests went to Casablanca for the local market, and exports are extremely rare. Exporters are mostly waiting for the start of the Hass variety season amid uncertainty over prices, according to Mehdi Benchekroun, CEO of DMB & Co.
To recall, heat waves caused massive losses in Moroccan avocado volumes this season, fueling speculation about high early-season prices for Moroccan avocados. However, growers had to revise their expectations downward as the start of the season approached, given the high supply of avocados from several other origins. Benchekroun states: "I don't think there will be very high prices, nor very low prices. The market is tending to balance out as the start of the Hass avocado season in Morocco approaches."
"Chile continues to have a strong presence in Europe, with volumes exceeding those from Peru for the first time this season. The Peruvian season has already come to an abrupt end. There are also lots of avocados from Colombia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Israel on the market. It is fair to say that the European market is currently flooded with avocados, which limits the leeway of Moroccan producers who were promising high prices due to the losses suffered this season," Benchekroun continues.
According to the exporter, prices are currently around 9-10.5/4 kg delivered to the Netherlands for sizes 12, 14, and 16. He continues: "Prices will inevitably rise in 10 to 15 days, when volumes from Latin America will be lower. We are also seeing signs of stronger demand for Moroccan avocados. All in all, I expect prices for Moroccan avocados to stay within the usual limits this season."
For more information:
Mehdi Benchekroun
DMB& CO
Tel: +212661214337
Email: [email protected]
