A group of European buyers visited Colombia this week to learn about the country’s export potential in Hass avocados.
Buyers from the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands visited producers and were due to take part in a business round table on Thursday.
“Colombia produces Hass avocados virtually all year round, which makes the country one of the most attractive suppliers in the world,” said Flavia Santoro, president of trade promotion agency ProColombia.
While other South American countries produce from April to October, Colombia produces two harvests a year – the main one between October and January and a secondary one, depending on the region, from May to September.
Avocado is Colombia’s second biggest fruit export after bananas, with annual sales of US$53m. Almost all exports are destined for the European Union, but the recent opening of the US market creates a potentially lucrative alternative for producers.
Colombia’s growing importance as a supplier to the international market can be seen by the decision to host the next edition of the IX World Avocado Congress in Medellín. The quadrennial event, which will be held from 23 to 27 September 2019, gathers together industry experts and academic leaders from different producer countries to address topics such as production, quality, phytosanitary issues, supply chain and marketing.
