Peruvian avocado production to rise 16.5% in 2012
Peruvian consultancy Maximixe has forecast Peruvian avocado production for 2012 will rise 16.5% year-on-year to 249,000 metric tons (MT). 
The group attributed the increase to higher yields in the country's main growing regions, due to the better use of technology, improved water access favorable weather conditions.
Sales of fresh and dried avocado exports rose too, jumping by 20.5% to US$193.3 million thanks to higher demand in the U.S. and Asia. In South Korea, Peru has zero tariffs for avocado exports due to a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two nations.
However, as exports took up a higher percentage of total production and South Africa was more competitive this year, the average export price stood at US$1,817 per MT - an 8.2% fall on 2011.
In the first half, exports to the U.S. grew by 7,000% as this was the first full season for shipments without cold treatment to that market, while exports to Canada grew by 22%.
Maximixe mentioned shipments to key European markets such as the Netherlands, France, the U.K. and Spain were lower this year.
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