A particularly cold 2007 South American winter led to a sharp fall in Chilean avocado exports during the 2008/09 season, according to the Chilean Exporters Association (ASOEX).
Total shipments fell by 36.7 per cent to 67,253 tonnes (or 7.4m cartons), ASOEX said, a drop which producers blamed on frosts during 2008 as well as increased domestic demand.
Demand from the US remained good and prices were stable during the marketing season although down in value in comparison with the previous season.
Total US inventories in 2008/09 were at their lowest level for the last three seasons, according to ASOEX, partly due to reduced supply of Californian avocados although offset slightly by an increase in imports from Mexico.
Overall, Chilean avocado exports to the US fell by 11.7 per cent and 40.9 per cent for the east and west coasts, respectively, while quality and conditions showed improvement over the 2007/08 season.
Exports to Europe, meanwhile, declined by 39 per cent to 16,000 tonnes or 3.2m cartons, although sales picked up from October onwards, according to ASOEX.
On average, prices in Europe remained below those achieved last season, despite better product quality.
