"We are committed to this variety, which is harvested in mid-April and serves to cover the market gap between the end of the Hass campaign in Malaga, Chile and Israel and the arrival of the first avocados from Peru and South Africa," explains Vicente Bayona, avocado producer and exporter and member of the Avocado Producers Commission of Los Valles.
"Although it takes a bit longer to ripen, if handled well it can reach even higher levels of fat than the Hass," he says. "One advantage is that it has a smaller stone and thus more flesh. On average, Lamb Hass avocados reach large calibres, of between 14 and 20. Our customers are very satisfied with the quality of our avocados, both because of their size and taste."
According to the exporter, the demand for avocado plants in Valencia is huge. "There is much interest from growers, as profit margins have ranged between 1.60 and 1.70 Euro per kilo at origin during the three years we've been growing it, which is much higher than the ridiculous prices received by citrus growers. However, given the limited availability of avocado seedlings in the market, the crop's expansion in Valencia will be gradual," he points out.
The Avocado Producers Commission of Los Valles has signed a deal with a packaging plant for the processing of its produce under the brand VALLS TROPIK, with a commitment for further growth in the markets.
"We have about 384 hectares with avocado seedlings that are between 2 and 4 years old. This year we'll exceed 300,000 kilos, but taking into account new plantings, we could be harvesting around 1,500 tonnes in five or six years," states Vicente. Lamb Hass avocados will remain available until late May and early June.
More information:
Vicente Bayona
Avocado Producers Commission of Los Valles
T: +34 616445682
vbayona@hotmail.es