Chile avocado trade stabilises as production holds firm

Chile’s avocado industry is moving into another season where stable output and rising export flows will shape trade decisions, especially across Latin American and European markets. With production holding steady after a recent surge, exporters are turning attention to demand patterns and overseas access conditions rather than planting expansion.

Chilean avocado shipments typically peak in the southern hemisphere harvest months, with unit export values historically highest in the offseason when global supply is tighter. For exporters, certification, cold-chain performance and efficient logistics continue to be as important as production volumes in securing sustained market access.

Production

Chile’s avocado production in the 2025/26 marketing year is expected to remain unchanged at about 240,000 tonnes, matching the previous season’s total after favourable weather boosted yields, according to a recent market analysis. This continuity offers consistency for international buyers who rely on predictable volumes during the southern hemisphere harvest.

Planted area

The total avocado area planted in Chile remains around 33,025 hectares, with the Valparaíso region accounting for roughly 62% of the country’s acreage. With no significant change in area, the supply outlook reflects yield patterns and not sudden acreage shifts.

Exports

Chilean avocado exports jumped by more than 50% in the 2024/25 season, exceeding 134,000 tonnes as demand grew across key destinations including Argentina, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom. This surge highlights how exporters have recently navigated increased production to reach diverse markets.

During the first three months of 2025/26, export volumes were slightly below the same period a year earlier, suggesting that early-season logistics and market timing could influence overall annual totals. For trade planning, such shifts emphasise the need to monitor demand and port flows closely.

Imports

Import figures have fallen, decreasing by more than a quarter in 2024/25 as Chile’s avocado availability rose. With Peru supplying the bulk of imports previously, the shift underscores how domestic output can reduce reliance on seasonal foreign fruit.

Read the full report here.

source: fas.usda.gov

photo: avocadosfromchile.org