In 2018, Mexican avocado exports amounted to 2.392 billion dollars, i.e. 11.7 percent less than in 2017, according to data from the Bank of Mexico.
This decrease in value occurred despite the fact that the export volume increased by 21 percent, which translated into shipments of more than 1,198,000 metric tons, according to figures from the Agrifood and Fisheries Information System (SIAP).
According to Mario Andrade, the vice president of foreign trade of the National Agricultural Council (CNA), this happened because avocado prices were higher in 2017 than in 2018 due to weather phenomena.
"Prices were high due to a shortage caused by a series of weather events, frosts and hailstorms in the previous year (2017), which led to a decrease in production and obviously an in crease in prices," he said.
However, the entrepreneur considered that having an increase in the export volume was a favorable thing, as it would allow Mexico to increase its presence in various markets.
"If you tell me: Do you want to sell half of your product for 100 pesos or all of your product for 50? It's practically the same, apparently, in economic terms. So what's the difference? The difference is you generate more market if you give consumers more product at a lower price. So I prefer to sell more avocado, even if it's at a cheaper price, than selling a few avocados at a very expensive price," he stated.
Moreover, the Association of Avocado Producers, Packers, and Exporters of Mexico (APEAM) reported that there had been increases in the export volume of avocados from Michoacan to other destinations besides the United States, such as Canada, where they shipped more than 54 thousand tons in 2018, which accounted for an eight percent annual increase.
The volume of exports to Asia also increased, as it had a 12 percent year over year increase.
Source: elfinanciero.com.mx