Avocado exports from the Mexican state of Michoacán to Europe have grown by 422 per cent in the past six years according to figures released by the Mexican Association of Avocado Producers and Exporters (APEAM).
Shipments to the EU totalled 26,642 tonnes in 2016, up from 6,310 tonnes in 2010.
Despite producing four out every five avocados grown in the world, Mexico has historically been a minor player on the European market compared with other suppliers such as Chile and Peru.
Now, the industry is looking to take on a more significant role in the market to take advantage of growing demand during a four-month window of opportunity when supplies from other sources are low.
Around 90 per cent of Michoacán’s avocado exports are destined for the US, but the industry is working hard to diversify its export markets and it now counts several markets in Europe, Asia and the Americas, including Japan, China, Singapore, South Korea, Chile, Spain, France, the Netherlands and the UK.
