Camposol recently ended its Peruvian avocado season. After high yields seen in the previous season, the volumes produced in Peru this year have been slightly lower due to the effects of alternate bearing. Production is therefore expected to increase for the 2020 season.

In Colombia, Camposol remains focused on the expansion of avocado production. The current planted area comes in at 1,300 hectares and is expected to reach 40,000 metric tons (MT) annually - a similar volume to Peru - by 2025.

The combination of the Peruvian and Colombian commercial windows would put the company ever closer to becoming a year-round player with this product.

It manages more than 90% of its fruit through its own channel in more than 40 countries. Around 50% of exported avocados are sent to the U.S., 35% to Europe and 15% to Asia and the rest of the world. In Asia, the company is looking with great interest at South Korea, a country with more than 50m inhabitants that recently opened its market for Peruvian avocados.

Jorge Ramírez, CEO of Camposol, said: "The demand for Hass avocados continues to grow at an annual rate of four to five percent. More mature markets such as the U.S. and Europe consumer 3.1kg and 1.8kg per capita, respectively.

"China only has a consumption of about 0.3kg per capita, so there is an enormous potential that we must take advantage of over the next ten years. We an excellent outlook for this superfruit that satisfies the growing needs of global markets- markets that demand fresh, healthy food".

Camposol and sustainable agriculture 

One of the main challenges that Camposol faces with growing avocados - as well as other products - is securing a sustainable irrigation system. Unlike countries like Mexico and Chile, the water supply for the crops in Peru comes from irrigation systems that move water from the Andes to the coast.

Therefore, the absence of rain does not pose a risk for the crops. On the other hand, and according to its philosophy of CCFFTF ("Camposol Cares from Farm to Family"), the company is conscious of its responsibility amid climate change, and it is therefore working in the measurement and reduction of its hydric footprint. 

Beginning five years ago, and in cooperation with SuizAgua, Camposol has been measuring its hydric footprint for blueberries, avocados and mandarins, as well as the footprints of the industrial processes for blueberries, fresh avocado and frozen mango.

The company received a "Blue Certificate" from the National Water Authority (ANA). The ANA awards the certificate not only to companies that measure their environmental impact but also to those that carry out projects to reduce water usage and generate a shared value theough working with communities. In 2019, Camposol became the first agricultural company in Peru to obtain this certification.

In the local community, Camposol contributes to improving the educational infrastructure of two schools close to its operations and promotes educational days on the value of water among young people. 

With respect to these efforts, Ramírez said: "All of these initiatives are part of our strategy to reduce our impact on the agro-ecosystem. In order to do that, we have utilized natural resources in a responsible way which promotes efficiency, and we continue improving our processes and fomenting the reuse of resources."