The growing Colombian hass avocado industry reported a historic year in 2023, exporting more avocados than ever, reaching 5,125 40-foot containers.

According to a report from Corpohass Colombia, this is a 26.4% growth compared to the 4,055 containers shipped in 2022.

The peak month of the season was in February 2023 when 929 containers were shipped, followed by December with 698.

"This is a good sign of development, but we are still in the process of learning and bettering practices. The challenge is to do it well and take care of Colombia as an origin because as we are already recognized in the world as a productive power of avocado, the challenge is to preserve it, expand it, and develop it," says Jorge Molina, commercial director of Coltrópicos.

Main destinations for Colombian avocados

The main destination for Colombian avocado in 2023 was the Netherlands, with a total of 2,703 containers shipped. In second place is Belgium with 631 containers, followed closely by the United States with 616 containers.

Also on the list are Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Chile, and Italy in that order.

Most of the cargo left from the port of Cartagena, with a total of 3,197 containers, followed by Santa Marta, Turbo, and Buenaventura.

According to Corpohass, the increase in exports is due to various factors. First, three harvests were accumulated due to the delay in the La Traviesa harvest.

At the national level, more hectares have been harvested in the last time which began to be harvested for this season. They also highlight better farming practices with an agribusiness focus on sustainability.