This year's Peruvian Hass avocado season started with high volumes and downward pressure on prices, forcing exporters to look for new markets.
GoExport, a Peruvian company led by women, has managed to enter the fresh fruit export market in three years. The company has three brands - Incavalley, Safi, and GoExport - and works with producer associations to market Hass avocados, blueberries, pomegranates, grapes, and mandarins.
© GoExport
Last year, the company exported 30 containers of Hass avocados, its main product. This year, they plan to export 50 containers, 70% of which will be exported directly, and the rest will be sold to third parties. "We work without intermediaries; all payments to the associations are made in cash and at a fair price," stated Shirley Carrión Ponce, the company's manager.
© GoExport
This year's avocado season started later than in 2024 but with a larger volume. "Last year, we started in week 3; this year, the harvest only started in week 7 (mid-February). There is enough fruit, but field prices dropped from 7 to 6.50 soles per kilo at the beginning of the season," she said. In week 16, the FOB price for a 4 kg box stands at around $8. Last year, it stood at more than $9. This drop is due to a saturated market, lower early demand in Europe, and fruit from Morocco and Spain still in circulation.
Chile starts buying Peruvian avocados around April, when prices in Europe fall. "We aim to send shipments to Europe until the second half of May because prices drop too much after that. In addition, Chile comes into the picture around April," she stated. This allows GoExport to send different avocado categories (I, II, and now also III) to the Chilean market until September.
© GoExport
Regarding blueberries, Carrión stated that "the sales season started at 26 soles per kilo and ended at 10 or 11 soles." All shipments were sent by air to markets such as Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Colombia, and the company hopes to expand its destinations this year.
GoExport's plan for 2025 focuses on market diversification and regaining ground in Europe. After a pause due to price uncertainty, the company will resume shipments this year with a new partner in Spain. "We want to have more control over our fruit upon arrival and work with strategic partners who offer us transparency," Carrión stated.
© GoExport
In addition to seeking new destinations such as Dubai and South Korea, the company is focusing on innovation and added value. "We are developing bioplastic from avocado seeds. We have already participated in a Pro Innovate competition and are devoting 15% of our resources to this kind of project," she stated.
For more information:
Shirley Carrión Ponce
GoExport
Tel: +51 902 420 155 / +511 744 2753
Email: gerencia@incavalley.com.pe
www.incavalley.com.pe