Avocado exports from Peru rose by 8 per cent in value to US$80m and 4 per cent in volume during the January to May period this year, according the Peruvian Exporters Association (Adex).
The bulk of the crop was shipped to the Netherlands, followed by Spain and the US, figures from Adex Data Trade revealed.
Sales to the US recorded a massive 1408 per cent hike in value to some US$3.6m.
However, Adex said prices fell in the US due to a high level of domestic production and the arrival of fruit from Mexico.
According to the association, it is hoped that prices will rebound from the beginning of 2013 when more consumers are aware of Peruvian avocados.
Despite retaining its position as the largest export market, sales to the Netherlands actually fell by 6 per cent to US$27.3m compared with the first five months of 2011.
Sales to Spain, meanwhile, rose by 20 per cent in value terms to US$12.7m, Adex revealed.
The UK and France ranked in fourth and fifth places, where sales were down by 5 per cent and 32 per cent respectively.
Adex said exports to Europe started with “interesting prices” but later fell as volume increased.
From September onwards, however, the organisation said prices are expected to rise as less fruit from Peru will be on the market and given that demand typically increases at the end of the European holidays.
Peruvian avocados were also exported to Asia during the January to May period.
The leading exporters were: Camposol, Agrícola Ayacucho, Agroindustrias Verdeflor, Kemble Peru Trading, Corporación Frutícola de Chincha, Agropecuaria Las Lomas de Chilca and Eurofresh Peru, among others.
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