Peru is on the way to becoming the world’s leading avocado exporter, according to Jim Donovan of Mission Produce.
Speaking at the VIII World Avocado Congress which took place last week in Lima, Donovan pointed out that planted area – currently around 25,000ha –continues to increase and the country still has plenty more suitable land at its disposal.
“Per capita consumption in the US is about 2.4kg and there is huge potential to further increase sales,” he told delegates, adding that it was essential that producers inform supermarket buyers about the product’s seasonality so that they could better manage supplies.
Donovan also pointed out that Peru would benefit from a longer production season.
“If Peru could produce avocados year-round, rather than for six months as is the case today, this would boost exports. Mexico is the number one exporter because it produces 12 months of the year,” he said.
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