A leading Mexican avocado association  has forecast a 28% jump in shipments to 450,000 metric tons (MT) for the 2011-12 season, website Eleconomista.com.mx reported.

Michoacán Association of Avocado Producers and Packer Exporters (APEAM) Ricardo Vega López, told the website the result would be a record, with 350,000MT bound for the U.S and the remainder to other destinations such as Japan, Canada and Central America.

He said Michoacán accounted for around 90% of Mexican avocado production at one million MT, while the rest was produced in Jalisco, Nayarit, México State and Morelos.

Vega López said this growth was largely thanks to trade agreements with the U.S., but he lamented that Mexico's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fishing and Food (SAGARPA) was not keeping pace with international demands.

He said SAGARPA was not providing quality and food safety certification quick as quickly as expected, the story reported.

He added that prices this year did not reach average levels as high as last season.

Taking steps in the European Union

Vega López said Mexico was gaining greater penetration of the European Union market thanks to the MXN23 million (US$1.7 million) invested by growers and importers in promotions.

He said new APEAM projects would involve boosting productivity on existing farms through new technology, and to help protect forest areas.

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