Colombia has beaten a competitive bid from New Zealand to be named the host country for the World Avocado Congress (WAC) in 2019.

The decision was announced at the end of the recent WAC in Lima, Peru, and means Colombian group CorpoHass will play a key role in the international Hass avocado sector for the next four years.

Colombia's bid was also supported by the Colombian Ambassador to Peru, trade promotion agency ProColombia, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Mayor of Medellin and Corporación Colombiana Internacional (CCI).

"Being ambassadors for the Congress in 2019 will raise awareness amongst growers and lead to an increase in the planted area and Hass exports. This is an opportunity for growth and recognition for the avocado sector," the CCI said in a release.

Colombia's Hass avocado sector has grown 150% over the last three years, leading to a production of more than 44,000 metric tons (MT). At the current rate, the fruit has the potential to become the fourth-most important agricultural product for the South American country.

The CCI said a meeting was held with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Edward Avalos, during the event in Peru.

The group said Avalos showed interest in supporting market access for Colombian avocados in the U.S., as part of the free trade agreement (FTA) that exists between the two countries.

Photo: CCI

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