Peru consolidates itself as the second largest avocado exporter in the world, registering a growth of 79.2% in volume.
Peru strengthens its position as the second largest avocado exporter in the world by exporting, between January and February of this year, 36,360 tons for US$ 75.4 million, according to Sierra y Selva Exportadora, an institution attached to the Peruvian Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri ).
This figure represents an increase of 79.2% in volume of avocado exported and 72.7% in value compared to the same period of the previous year.
According to preliminary amounts from Sunat, in the first two months of this year, the avocado reached 13 different markets, of which the Netherlands stood out, the European logistics hub, with 36.7% share in volume; so does China with 20.2%; Spain with 14.5%; Chile with 9% and Hong Kong with 7.9%.
Shipments to the Netherlands amounted to 13,343 tons, generating revenues of US$26.2 million, which represented 78.9% more in volume and 64.5% more in value compared to the same period last year.
Likewise, a notable growth is observed in exports to Asian markets such as China, with 7,341 tons acquired in the first two months of 2024 and a growth of 111.7% in volume in the last five years. This reflects a strategic diversification of avocado commercial destinations.
Also noteworthy is the dizzying increase in demand for Peruvian avocado by Chile, which acquired a total of 3,275 tons valued at US$ 5.2 million, which is equivalent to an increase of 347% in volume and 440% in value compared to 2023.
During the commercial cycle in 2023, avocado exports reached 599,208 tons, valued at US$ 963.4 million, according to Midagri. This performance reflected an increase of 9% in terms of value and 2.7% in volume compared to the previous year.
The avocado entered 40 international markets, with the Netherlands, Spain, the United States, Chile and the United Kingdom being the main destinations, which together absorbed 83.43% of the total shipped.
At the national level, avocado is produced in 16 regions, mainly in La Libertad, Arequipa, Ica and Moquegua, as well as in the inter-Andean valleys of Apurímac, Cusco, Huancavelica, Junín, Áncash and the Sierra de Lima. It is notable that 80% of family farming producers, who manage less than one hectare, are an active part of the avocado export chain.
PROPALTA PROJECT
Midagri, through Sierra y Selva Exportadora, promotes the ProPalta project in the La Mar province, Ayacucho region, with the aim of strengthening the commercial development of avocado cultivation.
For this year, it is planned to carry out more than 3,200 technical assistance actions for the benefit of more than 2,000 producer families from the agricultural organizations Calvario, Apropvat, Cooperativa Agraria San Nicolás de Ninabamba and the Nuevo Florecer de Rocchas Association, which together manage 139 hectares of Hass avocado with an estimated production of 1,529 tons per campaign.
By the end of 2024, the project's goal is to obtain Global GAP certification on 100 hectares of cultivation. In addition, it is planned to carry out the first direct export between the beneficiary organizations through the formation of an agricultural cooperative by 2025.
