It was quite a weird year for avocados as, even in the months when volumes are usually high due to overlaps of the produce from Spain, South Africa and Israel, supply was always lower than demand.
What is more, Claudio Gorini, sales manager for AL.MA., a leading company in the import-export of fresh, exotic and counterseasonal fruit at the Milan wholesale market, says the situation does not appear to be changing quickly.
"Supplies from South Africa ended two/three weeks ago, i.e. one month earlier than usual. The alternative produce from Peru is not enough to meet European demands, so prices have skyrocketed. This also means Hass avocados now cost less than green-peeled ones!"
Hass avocados
The difference in price led some supermarkets to buy more Hass. "We hope it's an occasion to make consumers discover this variety, which is nicer to eat."
The situation won't change for another two months, also because Israeli supplies won't be available before September.
Fuerte avocados
Consumption has been going well in Italy over the past few years also, thanks to the greater number of migrants who eat avocados. It is the most popular exotic fruit, followed by mangoes and papayas.
Contacts:
AL.MA. s.r.l.
Via Lombroso, 54
20137 Milano
Tel.: (+39) 02 5510622
Fax: (+39) 02 55195646
Email: almafrutta@tin.it
Web: www.almafrutta.it