Chile’s Hass avocado output is set to rise by 25 per cent this season to 200,000-210,000 tonnes, Americafruit has learned.
The Chilean Hass Avocado Committee said the growth in production is due to the alternate bearing cycle of the crop, which is enjoying an “up season” year with more fruit on trees.
Shipments to the US and Europe got underway in weeks 31 and 32 respectively, with approximately 50 per cent of the crop expected to be distributed on the export market.
“Exports may grow from 67,000 tonnes last season to approximately 100,000 tonnes this season,” committee president Adolfo Ochagavía told Americafruit.
Although set to be a challenging season, Ochagavía said the industry has a “good feeling” about performance on all of its markets.
Europe is looking particularly favourable as the region’s economies get back on track.
With that in mind, Ochagavía predicts 14 per cent more fruit will be shipped to Europe during the 2013/14 season.
The remaining 50 per cent of Chile’s Hass avocado crop will remain on the domestic market, which has shown increasing strength in recent years, buoyed by strong demand for avocados.
But with a lack of rainfall so far this year coupled with the shortage during the last three seasons, Ochagavía warned that volume in 2014/15 could be compromised.
The full report will be published in the October/November issue of Americafruit Magazine and the October issue of Eurofruit Magazine.
