According to information collected by FreshPlaza from a Chilean newspaper, the Asian continent was where most avocado was exported, with 140% increase, while Latin America fell by 20%. Europe also had a significant drop in volume, as result of the crisis and competition from Peru.
With 114,074 tons, Chilean avocado exports during the season that is ending recovered at 28% compared to 2010/2011, according to data from Asoex and iQonsulting. Despite positive aspects, results have not yet reached the
2009/2010 record, when the export volume rose up to 194,000 tons.
The increase in production led to increases in shipments to almost all markets. The only exception was Latin America, where exports dropped by 20%, mainly because of lower shipments nearly 19% to Argentina -a country that had been working hard to increase consumption, as a result of restrictions on market entry.
The big news this season was the 140% growth in shipments to Asia, although the volume sent is still very limited, with only 1,657 tons.
"The growth in Asia reflects the growing interest from consumers to have access to this "new" fruit and that its consumption also highly beneficial to health," said Ronald Bown, president of Asoex.
The United States remains the main market for Chilean avocado, representing 65% of total exports, despite competition from Peru. This season the volume sent to that country grew 36% over last season, ending with 73,675 tons.
Europe, which accounts for 28% of Chilean avocado exports, increased by 22% over the previous year, with total exports of 32,480 tons.
Chilean avocado enters this region through the Netherlands and that explains most of the increase in shipments to that country, which was 36% higher than last season.
From the other countries, according to information from Asoex, when it came to direct exports, England grew by only 5%, for the 2010/2011 season, while Spain and France fell by 15% and 44% respectively, resulting from fear of the economic crisis, importers would have adjusted their programs.
Isabel Quiroz, executive director of iQonsulting, explained that in terms of prices, markets behaved similar to those of last season, where the U.S. was more attractive, starting with opening prices for Chile between USD 3.8 and USD 4 per kilo. Although most of the season ranged between USD 2 and USD 2.4 / kg.
"The great lesson for the season is the strength of the domestic market, which continues to consume an average of 5 kilos per person a year with attractive prices for producers, making the international market compete with the local alternative.
This situation other fruit in Chile, where export is by far the great alternative," says Elizabeth Quiroz.
Source:El Mercurio de Santiago