The department of Cauca may not be the first region that comes to mind when you think of Colombian avocados. In fact, Colombia probably isn't the first country you associate with the fruit either, but both are increasing their presence in the industry at a rapid rate. 

Last year the region, usually shadowed by much larger producing areas of Antioquia and the Eje Cafetero, shipped its first avocados to Europe and farmers haven't looked back since. 

Up from 720 hectares of production last year, the surface area dedicated to plantings has since jumped to 1,000 hectares, according to Corporación Colombia Internacional (CCI).

And while three years ago all exports were done through intermediaries, in a release yesterday the CCI highlighted fruit had recently set off via seafreight for the Dutch port of Flushing.

The exports are from the grower association CaucaHass, accompanied by the labels CCI and ColombiaGAP.

"They want our avocados. We have orders from Italy, Spain, France, China, South Korea and Abu Dhabi, where quality, safety and traceability are a seal of guarantee," CCI president Adriana Senior said, following the trade fair Macfrut in Italy where the organization took part. 

"That's why we get our growers to certify with GlobalG.A.P., GRASP, and the label of ColombiaGAP which positions Colombian products."

She said it was previously thought that small growers wouldn't be able to reach international markets, but now it was a reality that farmers from the region could export and show they could be significant players in the global market.

"What's important is that we consolidate an exportable, quality supply, communicating well so that the technological package, the seeds, the right land and all the financial and commercial variables are made clear," Senior said.

"We need to also strengthen the country's avocado association, CorpoHass, including all regions with just one objective - seeing Colombia as an export power in Hass avocados."

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