Last season, Israeli avocado producers suffered a year of disappointment, with widespread frost causing severe damage and diminishing the size of the crop.
This season, however, growers are confident of a successful year. Exporter Agrexco forecasts a crop of over 80,000 tonnes, of which 50,000-55,000 tonnes will reportedly be exported.
In addition to Europe, Agrexco’s avocados, including the Ettinger, Pinkerton, Fuerte, Ardith, Nabal, Reed and Hass varieties, head to the Far East, to countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand.
Due to Israel’s temperate climate, there is not the risk of disease or pest that exists in the avocado’s native Caribbean and South America, enabling Agrexco to use a chemical-free treatment, Bio B.
Agrexco’s green credentials are further highlighted by the use of computerised irrigation systems in the company’s avocado plantations. This allows each tree to receive the exact amount of water and fertiliser that it needs.
“In over 90 per cent of the avocado plantations irrigation is based on treated water, thus saving the scarce water resources and at the same time, protecting the water sources from otherwise becoming polluted,” the company said.
The export season is due to begin in October and will come to an end in May.
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