Shortage
Avocado is a product that's become more and more commonplace in recent years. Around ten years ago, it was really exotic, but nowadays the consumer buys it almost as easily as a kiwi. For Starfruit, the avocado is an important product. The share has increased in recent years, mainly for the Hass variety. "85% of what we sell in avocados is Hass, 70 to 80% of which is delivered ripened. The Fuerte share is smaller. Particularly the immigrant population prefers the green variety. Sales of 'greenskin' are decreasing every year, but despite the decreasing sales, there's still a pretty significant shortage in green avocados. Consumers who make a summery salad, often add an avocado into the mix."
Ripening
Ripening avocados is a minute process. "It also depends on whether you're at the start or end of a season. At the start of a new season, the oil content and dry matter is relatively low, so the avocado takes longer to ripen. You'll often need four or five days for ripening then. And the taste of an avocado becomes stronger as the season advances." He indicates that in situations like the present, some companies opt for accelerated ripening. "We consciously choose not to. There are some who take the gamble, but the problem is that it's more difficult to control. If you ripen too quickly, things can go wrong very quickly as well. And an avocado that's too ripe is not much use."
For more information:
Ive Lambert
Starfruit Company
Werkhuizenkaai 112-154
Brussels - Belgium
Tel: + 32-022420876
Fax: + 32-022421208
www.star-fruit.eu
Starfruit Company
Werkhuizenkaai 112-154
Brussels - Belgium
Tel: + 32-022420876
Fax: + 32-022421208
www.star-fruit.eu