Production and export remain at moderate levels but import continues to increase

In Argentina, avocado is consumed continuously throughout the year. Domestic production does not cover demand and imports are increasing.

 

 

 

The Argentinian production of HASS avocados is marketed between April and June, and that of TORRES avocados between September and December. The avocado producing regions are mainly Tucumán, Corrientes, Jujuy and Salta.

 

 

 

Avocado exports have varied over the 2015-2018 period. In 2015 and 2016, the country exported 84 tonnes and 143 tonnes respectively. In 2017, the volume collapsed to 13 tonnes but the following year, it reached 382 tonnes. Avocados from the Tucumán region represented 99% of the total volume of national exports in 2018.

 

 

 

The volume of avocados imported by Argentina increased at an average annual rate of 33% between 2015 and 2017. Then, between 2017 and 2018, this average decreased by 25%. Chile was the main supplier of avocados, followed by Peru and Mexico. Imports from Brazil and Colombia started last year.

 

 

 

For the 2015-2018 period, an annual average of 5,928 tonnes of avocado arrived at the MCBA (Mercado Central de Buenos Aires), coming from producing regions and from exporting countries. The total annual volumes that entered the market increased at an average rate of 10% between 2015 and 2018.