Colombia's avocado exports have grown significantly becoming one of the country's most important non-traditional agro-export products. According to Jorge Restrepo, the director of Corpohass, the country's avocado exports are expected to amount to 210 million dollars by the end of the year. The goal in 2022 is to maintain the presence of the fruit in its new destinations, he added.
“We've reached seven new markets that were opened in the last 4 years (since August 2017): the United States, Argentina, Japan, Peru, China, South Korea, and Chile. This has been possible thanks to the National Government's Health Diplomacy, the ICA's work as the health entity in charge of negotiating access protocols, and the Ministries of Commerce and Agriculture. In 2022 we want to diversify the markets we have, export more to new markets, and reduce our dependence on sales in Europe, which continues to be our natural market,” he added.
There is a considerable upward trend in exports. The country exported 69,600 tons worth 156 million dollars between January and September, i.e. 35% more volume and 63% more value than in the same period of 2020.
“Our sales peak between the months at the end of the year and March and we continue to be strong in the European markets. We send our products to 33 destinations and there are about 92 exporters that are winning over these markets with our flavor, that's why we have good prospects for 2022,” he added.
“Some of our new destinations are the markets in which we want to become stronger. The Netherlands accounts for 53% of our sales and is our largest market. The top 10 destination market list is completed by the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, Argentina, the United States, Russia, and Costa Rica. We want to establish a Colombian commission that promotes Colombian avocados in the United States, the main market for this fruit in the world,” he stated. One of the tasks pending is to achieve the arrival of the fruit to Chile.
The corporation of Producers and Exporters of Hass Avocado of Colombia, Corpohass, also seeks to have a seal of origin for the Colombian fruit.
Source: portafolio.co