Exports of Peruvian avocados totaled U.S. $79.7M from January to August of this year, rising 19.7% and surpassing the $67.7M exported in all of 2009. Volume also rose 21.8% to 63,713 tons (57,800 metric tons), according to Maximixe, a consultancy, the Andina news agency reported.

The larger shipments of avocado are due to the rise in demand in Spain, which accounts for 45.4% of the rise, in the Netherlands with 10.1% and the United Kingdom with 7.2%.

Entry into new markets such as Morocco, Russia and Costa Rica also are pushing exports, although the supply that has been sent to these places is still small, the news agency said.

In 2009, avocado exports fell 7% to $67.7M and volume fell 5.9%. In that year, the fall was because of lower demand in Spain (a 23.2% drop) and the United Kingdom (a 17.3% drop), places where 28.1% and 8.5% of exports, respectively, are sent. Despite more sales in the Netherlands (a 4.5% rise), they could not stop the fall in exports, Andina said.

The Netherlands are the main market for Peruvian avocado, where 50% of exports are sent.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com