Peruvian Hass avocado exports will continue to grow in 2023, predicts Fernando Cillóniz Benavides, the president of the consultancy firm Inform@cción. In 2022, 554,498 tons were shipped abroad.
This increase, he said, will take place because of the many avocado areas installed in the country in 2020 and 2021, when prices in the international market were very good; unlike in 2022 when avocado prices were very low.
“The price drop in 2022 won't affect the production volume in 2023 because the trees planted in previous years are now coming into production. In addition, the productivity of the young plantations is increasing every year,” he said.
However, he added, producers will probably not increase their production area this year because of the poor prices in 2022.
"Year after year, the production and export of avocados have grown. In fact, there are many avocado fields that have not even come into production. The same goes for blueberries and grapes," he added.
This large number of avocado areas in Peru and in other countries has resulted in a significant supply, which has driven down prices, which is why Fernando Cillóniz recommends lowering the pace of planting new areas.
According to ProHass, the Peruvian association of Hass growers and exporters, last year Peru had 60,091 hectares devoted to Hass avocado. That is 19% more than the 50,699 hectares in 2021. In 2020, the area was 44,128 hectares (15% less than in 2021), the year before it stood at 38,042 hectares (16% less than in 2020) and in 2018 the area was 33,064 hectares (15% less than in 2019).
Source: agraria.pe