Avocado monthly review: October 2019

The month of October was marked by an overall shortfall for Hass (18 % down on October 2018). The South African and Peruvian summer campaigns finished much earlier than the previous year, with very considerably smaller volumes (- 79 % and - 76 % respectively). The Chilean season, which started up earlier than last year, reached its peak in October, with volumes similar to 2017-18, which represented more than 57 % of the overall supply. Exports were focused on the EC market, and heavily scaled back on the US market. Furthermore, imports from Mexico represented 27 % of the supply, with higher levels than in previous years because of the structural growth of Jalisco. Nonetheless, because of the over-representation of small sizes in the Chilean supply (generally small sizing, accentuated this year by a lack of water), the market was split in two: a large sizes segment (16 to 20), for which the fruit shortage led to price increases (70 % above average!); and a small fruit segment (from 22 to baby), for which there were stocks, with prices falling throughout the month, albeit still above average. Retail prices too continued to climb, somewhat curbing sales (+ 45 % on 2018).

On the green varieties market, the Israeli season began at the start of the month, albeit with volumes 17 % less than last year, because of a negative alternate bearing swing.    

avocado - france - import price