Colombia's Hass avocado sector has achieved a remarkable development in recent years and established itself in the global market. Corpohass, the organization that represents Colombian Hass avocado producers and exporters, has played a key role in this process.
Katheryn Mejía, Director of Corpohass, says that "with only nine years of experience in Hass avocado exports, Colombia has managed to become the second largest supplier in the European market, only behind Peru, and the fifth in the U.S. market. Colombia exported 102,000 tons of Hass avocado up to September 2023, which represents an increase of 15% compared to the same period of the previous year. This production has generated approximately 218 million dollars so far this year, so Hass avocado is now the third most exported crop from Colombia, after flowers and bananas."
This growth has been driven by the development achieved in more than 230 municipalities in 16 departments of Colombia, which have promoted exports and generated nearly 62,000 jobs with the support of medium and large companies. "Being the third largest employer in the Colombian agricultural sector, after flowers and bananas, is a source of economic and social development for many families in rural areas," says Mejía.
Colombia's geographical location and favorable climate allow Hass avocado production all year round without the need for artificial irrigation systems, using only rainwater. With more than 38 international markets, 85% of exports go to Europe, 11% to North America and the rest to Asia and other emerging markets.
Despite these achievements, the logistics remains a significant challenge. Long transport times from the plantations to the ports increase costs. Mejía says that "Colombia's national road infrastructure doesn't make things easy," so the logistics chain is more complex and costly compared to other producing countries.
Growth in the sector is projected at 15% annually, with the gradual incorporation of an additional 17,000 hectares that are already planted, but not yet in production. "This will allow a steady growth for the sector over the next five years, ensuring that Colombia is perceived as a reliable supplier of Hass avocado in the world market," says Mejía. By the end of the 2024-2025 campaign, exports are expected to reach 147,000 tons, driven by the main harvest which takes place from October to January.
Hass avocado has a remarkable impact on the Colombian economy, accounting for 1.5% of the agricultural GDP. In a country where 9 out of 10 rural employees are informal, the Hass avocado sector stands out for providing formal jobs to more than 240,000 people, thereby improving living conditions in areas historically affected by violence.
Mejía says that "the international market is seeing a shift towards consumers who are more informed and concerned about sustainability. These consumers are looking for products grown with responsible production practices and they want to know the story behind the products, including how and where they were produced." This has motivated Corpohass to launch the 'Avocado from Colombia: Sustainability from the Heart' brand as a way to communicate Colombia's commitment to sustainability in social, economic and environmental aspects.
Territorio avocado
In the framework of Colombia's commitment to the development of the Hass avocado industry, the event Territorio Avocado 2024 is going to be held on November 27-28 in Medellín with the aim of promoting and strengthening the agro-industry. The event, to be organized by Corpohass, will bring together experts, producers, exporters and international buyers and provide a platform to discuss essential issues, such as sustainability, productivity and the quality standards that define Colombian Hass avocado.
The event will have three main parts:
Academic Congress: Where national and international speakers will discuss the latest trends and challenges in sustainable Hass avocado production.
Avotours: Guided tours of production fields and packing plants that will allow attendees to learn about Colombian agricultural practices and growing areas.
Avomatch: A business roundtable to allow producers and exporters to connect with international buyers, creating commercial opportunities for the 2025 season.
Mejía underlines the importance of Territorio Aguacate as an event that isn't just strengthing Colombia's presence in the global market, but is also allowing the promotion of sustainability initiatives and the industry's positive impact on rural communities.
For more information:
Katheryn Mejía
Corpohass
Medellín, Colombia
Tel.: +57 324 5941 788
[email protected]
https://www.corpohass.com/