Mexico reports boom year for avocado exports
![Mexico reports boom year for avocado exports Mexico reports boom year for avocado exports](https://cdn.freshfruitportal.com/2020/01/News-shutterstock_356279348.jpg)
Mexican avocado producers had reason to celebrate this past month. Statistics released at the end of June indicated that exports of the fruit to the United States broke the production record for Mexico's 24 registered export districts.Â
According to the Mexican Association of Avocado Producers and Packers (APEAM), the total 629,000 tons (MT) produced in the 2012-13 season showed a 39% increase from the previous year.
"This [record] meant a major challenge for the entire supply chain, especially on the other side of the border where they directed this volume, thanks to supermarkets and food processors," APEAM marketing director Eduardo Serena told www.freshfruitportal.com.
Serena added that during the production year, the Mexican avocado industry experienced a period of reinforcement, which increased the number of registered producers and hectares.
"During this period, the Mexican avocado industry was strengthened, reaching 10,000 producers in the program (16% more than the previous season), more that 75,000 hectares (14% more), more than 15,800 orchards (23% more) and 37 certified exporter packing houses (3% more)," he explained.
The season also came with heavy investment in the United States to promote Mexican avocados.
"This allowed volume to reach a level never seen before, with more than 517,000 MT of Mexican avocado marketed to our neighbor to the north. This is 44% more than the previous season," he said.
The main export markets for Mexican avocados are the United States, Japan, Canada, France, Costa Rica and El Salvador. China and Europe were mentioned as potential markets for the furture.
Michoacán ranks as the top Mexican state for production with 1.1 million MT in the 2012 calendar year.