Chilean avocado exports are tipped to fall by approximately 36 per cent in 2010/11, while Peru and South Africa will increase sendings by 11 per cent and 10 per cent respectively, according to a report by iQonsulting.
The decrease in Chile volume is due to a range of factors including an off year for production, coupled with the frosts in July which have affected some crops.
As a result, Chile is expected to supply 125,000 tonnes of avocados in 2010/11, down from 194,700 tonnes last season, iQonsulting said.
Peru, meanwhile, will expand exports to 53,500 tonnes, against 48,300 tonnes in 2009.
South Africa will also grow sendings by 10 per cent to around 44,400 tonnes, compared with 40,200 tonnes last year.
The Chilean 2010/11 season got underway during week 22 and so far (up to week 32) some 3,300 tonnes have been shipped, iQonsulting said.
The sendings represent 86 per cent of the volume exported during the same period last season and were mainly distributed in the US and Argentina.
However, the US market has not presented “attractive demand” for imported fruit so far this season, according to iQonsulting, due to an ample offer of local (California) avocados.
Up to week 33, Peru had shipped 50,600 tonnes or 12 per cent more than at the same point last year and 95 per cent of its anticipated export total.
The biggest markets for Peruvian avocados this season have been the Netherlands (receiving 46 per cent of the volume) and Spain (33 per cent).
As of week 34, South Africa had supplied 40,000 tonnes of avocados, or 7 per cent more than during the same period last season, and 90 per cent of its estimated offer for 2010.
The bulk of South African sendings have been absorbed by the European Union, according to iQonsulting.
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