The Peruvian avocado harvest started in late March this year in Jayanca in the north of the country, avocados from Olmos also in the north were very late with many farms not starting until week 18. Harvest in the southern regions closer to Lima and Ica started mostly around week 14, according to Mirko Infantes from Pacific Produce.
Peru has a diverse climate, the north was very warm which caused most of the fruit to remain small, while the weather was relative normal in southern areas.
"Due to the hot weather and warm nights, most of the fruit in the north remained small. This was a commercial disaster for some weeks, in which the market was flooded with small fruit while bigger sizes were still making good money," explains Mirko.
"Demand is good in the US and fixed prices being offered in Peru are attractive. So, the US is a serious competitor for Peruvian volumes this year. The overall volume going to Europe from Peru has been significantly lower than previous years, and on top of that, Europe has serious price competition from other markets. However, we saw in week 22 departures from Peru coming closer to the 600-container mark for the first time this season."
At the moment Peru is the biggest avocado supplier to Europe, there are also Kenyan avocados on the market, and some from Colombia, Brazil and South Africa. Mexico, as usual, focuses more on the US market.
For more information:
Mirko Infantes
Pacific Produce
Tel: +44 (0)1865 877802
[email protected]
www.pacificproduce.co.uk