California has a good supply of Hass avocados after a slower than usual start, according to Robb Bertels of Mission Produce in Oxnard, California.
“Volume is coming up; last week the industry harvested about 13 million pounds, and we expect 15 to 17 million pounds coming out of California for the next several weeks. That is definitely a promotable supply,” Bertels explained.
The late start may be due to several factors.
“Weather may have played somewhat of a role, but there was such a consistent volume coming out of Mexico that some California growers may have held off promoting their supplies until Mexico’s volume calmed down.”
The fruit’s size is also somewhat different this season.
“The avocados are skewed a bit small. Part of the reason may be that growers needed to get fruit off the tree to support next season’s crop. Along with weather and water issues, the fruit may have been picked for cultural purposes before it was able to size up. But overall the crop will offer more volume than last season, is of good quality, even if slightly smaller in size than is typical,” said Bertels.
Avocado demand is strong, and continues to grow, especially in the West.
“Demand is consistently going up, about 10 percent per year. We see avocado consumption at about seven pounds per capita, whereas five years ago it was about three-and-a-half pounds per capita. The West consumes a lot, about 16 pounds per capita for that region,” Bertels explained.
Bertels added that he expects the consistent California Hass avocado supplies to remain strong through late August or early September.
For more information:
Robb Bertels
Mission Produce
+1 805 981 3655