Peru: Delayed avocado season with smaller sizes

As Peru is a big country, it has different production areas and weather often affects only certain regions. Therefore, different opinions can be shared about the situation in Peru. However, it can be said this time that the recent bad weather circumstances have affected the whole country. For example, one area is affected by damage to the infrastructure and another has damage to the production fields of, for example, avocados and citrus.

Avocados
FCE Export in Peru is of the opinion that in general over the whole country, the sizes of the avocados are smaller and the season started with a delay. Moreover, the prices are high, much higher than the European market is willing to pay for avocados. Consequently, this results in a shift of export markets, namely Peru is interested the US market.

In that market, there is less supply from their main supplier Mexico. Besides the US market, Asia remains a potential market. For that reason, producers keep their fruits on the trees and save their products. They hope the fruits can be sold for the demanded price in other markets than Europe.

This means even less supply in the European market, which might cause an additional increase in prices. The exporter remains positive: “There is also less supply from South Africa to the European market, or at least the sizes are smaller. This means the retail and the suppliers have to find a balance, so the avocados are available again and at reasonable prices. As the Hass avocados are in season from March till September, there is still enough time to create a stable market.”

FCE Export in Peru also sources mandarins, which are also affected by the El Niño. “The season had a delayed start. Moreover, it seems that there is less colour on the fruits. This is caused warm temperatures and small differences between day- and night temperatures. In general, producers worry about the shelf life. It has been said that this high amount of water during production, might affect the shelf life.”

Spot market
The bigger volumes of the Peruvian export of fruits and vegetables are commercialized by a few big players. The smaller ones try to sell to the same spot market, which is only limited nowadays. The times are changing and the spot market becomes smaller and more difficult without using programs.

This will show the difference between buyers or clients. Peru is active in opening new markets for export, which gives new opportunities. In case these countries are interesting enough for Peruvian fruits and vegetable export, the focus will be less on Europe.

FCE Export
The company FCE Export SAC in Peru and the subsidiary company FCE Exportaciones Colombia, are the sourcing companies for importers from mainly Europe, the USA and Asia. The fruit is directly sourced from the producers in Peru, Colombia and as well Guatemala. This means if importers are looking for products, FCE finds the fruit for them and offers it at cost price. The sourcing of the fruits for importers, includes taking care of buying, packing, logistics, managing the food safety and sustainability protocols, etc. The main office is located in the Chiclayo in Peru and recently the office in Cali, Colombia has opened.

More information:
Diana Sajami Távara – General manager
FCE Export SAC
Perú
T: + 51 97 6348373
E: Diana@fceexport.com
www.fceexport.com