Mexico

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Mexico expects stronger avocado exports in 2014/2015

640px-Hass_avocado_-white_background

 

Modest growth will bring Mexico’s Hass avocado production to 1.5 million tons for the 2014/2015 marketing year (MY), according to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

Growers estimate the country’s avocado exports will also increase, to about 700,000 tons, though this could end up being higher as world prices are expected to be lower, FAS said in its recent Mexico Avocado Annual report.

Mexico exports avocados to 21 countries but its top markets are the US (accounting for the vast majority), Japan, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, and France.

 

 

Michoacán grows most of Mexico’s ‘green gold’

The state of Michoacán, in western Mexico, is the world leader in avocado production, growing 85% of Mexico’s avocado crop. Most avocado production in this avocado belt takes place in small orchards of just 5–10ha.

The vast majority of the export business is managed directly by packers, many of whom have significant US investment. Growers in Michoacán generally sell their fruit on the spot market to a packer in terms of pesos/kg.

Overall yields in Mexico for MY 2014/15 are forecast between 8.9–9.1 MT/ha but yields  of 15–20 MT/ha are expected in the state of Jalisco, which is

planting at higher tree densities and using advanced management technologies.

Due to plant health concerns, Michoacán is currently the only state in Mexico authorized to export Hass avocados to the US. USDA /APHIS registration of authorized pest-free municipalities is required for producers to export to the US.

 

State of Michoacán within Mexico

 

 

Attractive prices for consumers in 2014/15

Export prices were higher than expected in 2014/15. In March 2014, two-layer cartons of Hass 48s from Mexico were reported at prices of $36.25-38.25, up from $31.25-32.25 at the same time in 2013. Prices were higher because California could not supply avocados at the time, and Mexico had some shipping issues.

“Prices for MY 2014/15 began at lower levels and are expected to remain attractive for consumers as the domestic crop is expected to be good,” FAS said.

 

 

 

Click here to read the Mexico Avocado Annual report by FAS

Click here to see photo source
Click here to see source of map showing Michoacán

 

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Far East focus for Mexico berries

For Mexican soft fruit association Aneberries, 2014 has become a crucially important year in its development as the group seeks to gain access to China

For a great many companies in the fresh produce sector, China has assumed something of the allure of a Holy Grail of export destinations, with a potential market of 1.35 billion people an enticing prospect for any producer, even excepting the huge distances often involved. This is no less the case for Mexico’s soft fruit growers, where national association Aneberries – whose members account for around 75% of total berry annual export volumes – has for some time been actively seeking entry to the Chinese market. The only problem is the lack of an export protocol for soft fruit between the Latin American nation and China, meaning that – as is the case with many other sectors – exports can only be achieved through Hong Kong, in other words, not officially. However, all that could be about to change with the visit of inspectors from China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) to Mexico’s berry production heartland in the states of Jalisco and Michoacán. During the visit, which took place between 24 February and 3 March, AQSIQ officials toured a total of nine berry production sites and three packhouses, with a particular focus on blackberries and raspberries. In a hugely heartening statement for the Mexican berry sector through Mexico’s department of agriculture (Sagarpa), AQSIQ Safety Division official Feng Chunguang said that a phytosanitary agreement for exports of both products could realistically be completed before the end of 2014. If this is achieved, Mexico also hopes to achieve access for blueberries in 2015. If all goes to plan, the expectation is that Mexican president Peña Nieto will sign an agreement to enable access for blackberries to China during a scheduled visit to the country in October, explains Aneberries president Mario Andrade.
SM