Total avocado yield in Israel for the forthcoming 2007-08 season is estimated at 60,000 tonnes, a 30 per cent decline compared with the previous year.
Total export volume for the 2007-08 season is pegged at 40,000t, against 58,000t last year. Arye Rothman, manager of the Avocado Growers’ Association, said that 2006-07 was a record year, with yields of 90,000t, and 58,000t of this slated for export.
“However, in view of smaller yields in Israel and in Spain in the forthcoming season, there will be a shortage of avocado on the markets in western Europe,” said Rothman.
He attributed the decline in yields to the alternate season phenomenon, which especially affects the Hass variety, which will yield just 8,000t this season, compared with 20,000t last year.
He confirmed reports that avocado yields in Spain are expected to decline by 20-30 per cent, noting that the total supply of avocado to western Europe in 2007-08 will not exceed 200,000t, compared with 250,000t during 2006-07, which was a record year in all aspects.
Rothman noted the growth of Chile as a major supplier of avocados to Europe, as in 2004-05 the country exported 11,000t; in 2005-06, it exported 18,000t; and in 2006-07, it shipped 41,000t overseas.
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