Avocado production in Paraná has expanded in both area and volume over the past nine years. According to the Agricultural Situation Bulletin published by the Department of Rural Economy (Deral), the planted area increased by 91% and production by 60.9% between 2014 and 2023.
In 2014, Paraná produced 22,200 tons of avocados on just over 1,000 hectares, generating a Gross Production Value (GVP) of R$55.6 million (US$10 million). By 2023, production had reached 35,800 tons on 2,000 hectares, with a GVP of R$89.7 million (US$16.2 million). This accounted for 2.6% of the state's fruit production. Surveys for 2024 already indicate further increases, pending the release of official figures.
The northern part of Paraná leads the output. Apucarana is the state's main producer, responsible for 88.1% of production, followed by Arapongas at 7.3% and Assaí at 6.7%. Deral analyst Paulo Andrade noted changing perceptions of the fruit and said, "The fruit, previously seen as harmful to nutritional issues, is now proving to be a functional superfood, contributing to improvements in public health."
At the national level, Brazil is the seventh-largest avocado producer in the world, representing 4% of global production. The country ranks eighth in export volume, shipping 24,000 tons in 2023 worth US$36 million. The Southeast accounts for 80% of Brazilian production, followed by the South (10%) and Northeast (8%). While São Paulo is the largest producing state, Paraná and Minas Gerais are also noted for high-tech production. The avocado tree is well adapted to the climate and rainfall patterns in these regions.
In 2022, São Paulo had 1.38 million avocado trees, of which one million were in production, yielding 8 million 22-kg boxes. Ourinhos, São João da Boa Vista, and Mogi-Mirim accounted for half of the state's supply.
According to the Brazilian Association of Avocado Producers, more than 500 varieties are known worldwide, classified by Embrapa into tropical varieties (common at low altitudes, including native Brazilian types) and subtropical varieties (adapted to altitudes above 1,500 meters, such as Mexican and Guatemalan). In Brazil, Avocates do Brasil estimates that just over 11,000 hectares correspond to tropical varieties, and almost 7,000 hectares to subtropical avocado types.
The main varieties cultivated in Brazil include Hass, Breda, Fortune, Ice, Margarida, Ouro Verde, and Quinta. Production is spread year-round, with early and mid-season types such as Ice, Fortune, and Quinta harvested in the first half of the year. Later-ripening varieties such as Breda and Margarida are also productive, but yields are often biannual.
Source: Abrafrutas
