The Southern Hemisphere's leading avocado suppliers are expected to see overall growth in exports this year, with research firm iQonsulting forecasting a crop of 224,000 tonnes, up 9.7 per cent year-on-year.
According to a report by the group, published by Fresh Fruit Portal, Chile will lead the way in exports by sending some 116,221 tonnes this season, a yearly increase of 31.4 per cent.
Neighbouring Peru, meanwhile, is set to export around 65,000 tonnes in 2011/12, up 15.2 per cent on the previous campaign, with Europe its main destination market.
South Africa's avocado exports are expected to drop considerably by 38.4 per cent this year, down to 29,400 tonnes, due to alternate bearing an hail storms that impacted on production regions at the end of 2010, iQonsulting said.
Staying in Africa, Kenya's shipments are expected to rise 14.7 per cent to 13,712 tonnes this season, with more than half of the year's exports expected to be completed by the end of week 29.
