According to a report from the US department of agriculture just published, world avocado supplies should close the 2001-02 season at 1.6million tonnes: an eight per cent increase on the levels of the previous season.
The US, registered a crop some 22 per cent bigger than the previous year at 212,000t. However, gains by the world's second largest producer were offset by decreases in production in Israel, Spain and South Africa. Mexico, the largest producer had an unexpectedly large crop and increased access to the export market of the US allowed it to increase total sendings by 134 per cent.
Global avocado exports are forecast by the USDA to close the 2001-02 season up by 22 per cent as many countries including Mexico, Chile, Israel, Spain and South Africa improve their export focus.
Mexico grew almost 1million tonnes of the fruit in the 2001-02 season, 40 per cent of the world total. Other countries in the top five included Indonesia, Chile and Peru.
France is the world's largest importer of avocados, although a small percentage of arrivals are re-exported. The UK is also growing in importance as an export market and has become a particular focus for senders from South Africa.
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