During the last five years, the demand for fruits and vegetables worldwide has grown at a 4% year-on-year rate. However, this growth may be cut short this year by the expansion of the coronavirus in the main destinations, the United States (which accounts for 15% share of the world's fruit and vegetable imports) and the Netherlands (6%). Even though it's too early to predict what the final impact will be, the trend that will mark the year started to appear in the first quarter of 2020.
United States
In the first quarter of the year, the United States usually imports 29% of the total annual fruit and vegetables; its main suppliers are Mexico (55% of imports), Chile (11%), and Peru (6%). The main imported products at this time are grapes (9% share), tomatoes (8%), and avocados (7%).
Grape imports during the first quarter exceeded 900 million dollars (+20% compared to the same period of the previous year). The main suppliers were Chile (62%) and Peru (36%).
Tomato imports during this period totaled more than 750 million dollars (+11%). The largest tomato supplier in the first quarter was Mexico (96%).
Avocado imports totaled more than 750 million dollars (+25%). The main supplier was Mexico (98% share). Until the end of the quarter, avocado imports had a good dynamism and were well received in the market.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands imports 37% of all of its yearly imports during the first quarter of the year. Its main suppliers are Spain (15%), South Africa (9%), and Peru (8%). The main imported products are grapes (which account for 13% of all imports), bananas (8%), and avocados (6%).
During the first quarter of the year, the Netherlands grape imports amounted to 400 million dollars (-2%). The main suppliers were South Africa (58%) and Peru (17%). Grape imports from South Africa grew 7%, while those from Peru fell by 30%.
Banana imports totaled more than $ 260 million (+9%). The largest supplier was Panama (with a 96% share). During the first two months of the year, banana imports grew by 15%, but in March they fell dramatically and were similar to those of 2019.
Avocado imports totaled more than 200 million dollars (+17%). The main suppliers were Chile (31%), and Colombia (18%). Until March 2020, avocado imports had a good dynamism and were well received in the market, which favored the Chilean campaign.
Source: FreshFruit / agraria.pe