Plentiful Mexican avocados resulting in lower prices compared to last year

Supplies of avocados look to be strong. “Mexico has a fantastic crop with great quality and that looks to have good supplies to carry on through the winter and spring,” says Calavo Growers Inc.’s Peter Shore. He adds that currently, supplies are coming out of Michoacán but also Jalisco, a producing state that was finally approved for shipment to the U.S. by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-APHIS) in mid-July.

The volume from Mexico at this time is better than last year. “It’s a larger crop overall from Mexico. The growing regions there are also having an “on” year with great supplies and good sizing,” says Shore, noting that good supplies began in late August.

Demand to pick up

Meanwhile, demand is also steady on avocados. “Demand is typically lighter for avocados in Q4 and then it does pick up for Christmas and New Year’s. It also increases throughout the first quarter for football events and that continues through the second quarter of the year as well,” says Shore. He notes that demand looks to be similar to last year at this time.

As for pricing on avocados, it’s described as favorable. “We’re going to have promotable pricing on plentiful supplies for the next few months. Pricing is also lower than last year,” he adds.