Chinese avocado market: first Californian container unloaded, and new export zones approved in Colombia

The first Californian Hass avocado container was unloaded in China in mid-March 2021. California got the green light to export to the Middle Kingdom in April 2020. The fruit, shipped by Mission, is aimed at its local partner Mr. Avocado. While the transport time is not a major challenge (14 to 16 days at sea), customs duty on the other hand remains very high, since California does not have a preferential agreement (25 % tax). For its part, Colombia enjoys a number of production zones approved for export to China, which as of early March 2021 has increased (8 new high-altitude zones situated in the Departments of Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda and Quindío).

After a thunderous take-off in the mid-2000s, avocado imports by China and Hong Kong have levelled out at between 38 000 t and 50 000 t since 2017 (approximately 37 000 to 40 000 t in 2020, according to a provisional figure). The main suppliers are Peru, Mexico and Chile. According to Comtrade, Peruvian and Chilean avocados enjoy complete exemption from customs duty, while Mexican avocados are subject to a 25 % tax.

Sources: Mission Produce, Comtrade,