The Spanish avocado industry is forecasting slightly lower year-on-year volumes for the upcoming season, but overall another strong season is expected amid stable European market conditions. 

Spanish Tropical Crop Association president José Linares estimated the country would produce some 55,000 metric tons (MT) for the 2017-18 campaign, compared to around 62,000MT last year.

"We are going to start with the green-skinned varieties, but they are smaller volumes and represent only around 15% of production," he told Fresh Fruit Portal.

"We will probably start with Hass around mid-November, which is a bit earlier than our typical start time of the end of November, but it all depends on the fruit's dry matter."

In general, Linares said growing conditions had been good this year, with relatively stable temperatures. Fruit quality is expected to be "fantastic", he said.

He said the minor drop had been expected and was largely due to weather-related issues.

"Last year we had strong production conditions and volumes tend to decline afterward, so this situation doesn’t surprise us," he said.

"It was simply that the flowering stage was slightly affected by temperatures, as the avocado tree is very delicate during flowering. But the volumes are not going to be much less."

Production is expected to grow gradually over the coming years, with water available the main issue holding back the industry.

"It's always the same problem," he said.

"If we had water we could produce two or three times more. The additional volumes would not be a problem as the market could easily absorb them."

Conditions are looking positive in the European market, where almost all of Spain's relatively small crop is sold.

"Last year we had a very good season which finished around April. Avocado export prices have been relatively stable all year, with only about 10% or 20% variance up or down," he said.

"In general the market is very good and receptive. It's waiting for the Spanish fruit, and I think it's going to be a very good year, similar to last year."

He said there was very little competition between Spain and Chile in the European market, as Spanish volumes ramp up around Christmas when the Chilean season is coming to an end. 

Colombian avocados are present in the market at the same time but Linares was confident the high Spanish quality meant competition would not be an issue.

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