Chile is on course to export a record volume of Hass avocados to Europe this year, at the expense of further growth in the US.
In total, the country expects to supply 190,000 tonnes of the variety, according to Adolfo Ochagavía, chairman of the Chilean Hass Avocado Committee.
Sendings to Europe will hit 51,000 tonnes for the first time, representing 27 per cent of Chile’s output and an increase of 4 per cent against last season.
Exports to the UK are also expected to reach a record 8,000 tonnes, Mr Ochagavía said.
The US, meanwhile, will remain Chile’s largest export market by far, despite a contraction in its share of Chilean exports this season.
Shipments to the North American nation will still account for a massive 70 per cent of Chile’s total output in 2009/10, although down 4 per cent on last season.
Argentina – Chile’s other significant market – is forecast to receive 4,000 tonnes.
The growth in the 2009/10 output comes on the back of a good flowering period, Mr Ochagavía said, brought on by favourable weather conditions during the Chilean autumn and winter.
This season’s performance is a marked contrast to the 2007/08 campaign which was devastated by frosts.
Referring to Chile’s growing presence on the global avocado market, Mr Ochagavía attributed the expansion to the successful marketing campaigns organised by the Committee during the last few years.
“In 2009/10, the Committee will promote Hass avocados in Europe for the fifth time and in Argentina for the third time,” he explained.
“In January this year we also launched on the Colombian market, which signifies a new challenge for the industry.”
In addition, Mr Ochagavía revealed that the Committee is also working together with Chile’s food safety and phytosanitary agency (SAG) to access countries like Mexico, Brazil, South Africa and China, among others.”
