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PERUVIAN AVOCADOS —
A Dependable Summer Staple To Drive Consumption Growth
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PERUVIAN AVOCADO COMMISSION
South American supply is a leading source of product for European Union and United States.
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marked a turning point for one of the hottest items in produce.
Volatile supply and market gaps have the potential to stunt a category’s growth, and as
60 / JUNE 2019 / PRODUCE BUSINESS
has happened in recent years, there’s nothing like a shortage of the ‘green gold’ to spark fears about this unwittingly hipster crop.
Gahl Crane, sales director at Eco Farms Avocados in Temecula, CA, says Peru has been a very important supplier and partner for the North American market over the past six years, with solid growth.
“It comes at a very critical time when demand is generally higher because you have warmer months, and Mexico is generally at their lowest time of production,” he says. “It fills an important window. Certainly, for our company, it’s a pillar of our supply program.”
His views are echoed by Denise Junqueiro, director of marketing at Mission Produce in Oxnard, CA.
“Retailers are enjoying the ability to have an increased fruit supply during those summer months,” she says. “Consumption has grown, and supply has a need to keep up. Peru has provided the ability to service that demand.”
Crane says Mexico and California used to be the only avocado sources available from June to August, before the Chilean season kicked off in September.
“A lot of times you saw particularly high prices and less promotable volume during those months, but Peru has allowed many retailers to promote longer, knowing they have a second option and sometimes a third option,” says Crane. “Overall, I think it’s going to be an upward trajectory, but like many growing areas, the trees are alternate-bearing.”
hen the United States opened its doors to Peruvian avocado imports without cold treatment in 2011, it