With the Big Game taking place this Sunday, supplies of avocados--a popular food associated with Super Bowl Sunday--are ample. “The quality of avocados from Mexico has been great and supply is plentiful across all sizes and grades,” says Hector Soltero, vice president of sales planning with Mission Produce.
He notes that the avocado supply from Mexico is higher this year largely due to the alternate bearing of avocado trees. “Since the start of the year through February 8, the U.S. market has maintained a daily inventory of approximately 60 million pounds of avocados,¹ many of which are supporting the increase in demand in anticipation of the Big Game,” says Soltero.
Dominant growing regions
While avocados in the U.S. are predominantly coming from Mexico right now, there are also limited supplies from Colombia. “The California season is also on the horizon and we anticipate a great start to the season,” says Soltero.
To move this large supply is good demand. The industry has been selling avocados on promotion since the start of 2023 in anticipation of this weekend’s event. “Also organic avocados remain in strong demand and we are sourcing strong supplies from Mexico for customer programs,” he says.
Those promotions for avocados are helping keep product moving. “Although overall food inflation is up by approximately 12 percent compared to a year ago,² certain game-time favorites are currently priced lower compared to last year. Avocados are priced approximately 20 percent lower compared to 2022³, while current prices on wings and steak are also lower,” says Soltero.”³
1. AVIS Totals in Million Pounds. Weeks 1-6. 2023.
2. Bureau Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Indices
3. USDA Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS)
For more information:
Jenna Aguilera
Mission Produce, Inc.
[email protected]
www.missionproduce.com