Peruvian avocado exports saw a slight year-on-year reduction in volumes this season, but nevertheless the value of shipments rose significantly.

Exports from the Andean country from January through August fell 1%, breaking the strong growth trend the country has been experiencing for many years.

By the end of August, 188,391 metric tons (MT) of the fruit had been exported, against 190,894MT in 2016, 172,522MT in 2014 and 110,622MT in 2013.

The freight on board (FOB) value of the shipments this year, however, was US$362 million, compared to US$330 million the previous year, US$287 million in 2014, and US$178 million in 2013.

These figures put the per-kilo value of Peru's avocados at US$1.92, against US$1.73, US$1.67, and US$1.61 the previous years respectively.

In terms of destinations, shipments to the U.S. fell by a third to 31,978MT, but there were gains for the Netherlands (+2%; 76,494MT), Spain (+15%; 40,433MT), and the U.K. (+11%; 20,919MT), according to data from PromPeru.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com