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Avocado exports from Mexico marginally break record in 2020

Overview of the avocados season in the U.S. market, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in FreshFruitPortal.com on February 25, 2021 Although marginally, Mexican avocado exports edged a new record in 2020, with exports totaling $2.937 billion dollars, up from the $2.932 billion recorded in 2019, according to Opportimes. Volumes (in KG) of non organic avocados from Mexico in the US Market Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics . (Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here ) Avocados top the list of the country's main agri-food exports, surpassing tomatoes, peppers and pork. Globally, Hass avocados are the predominant variety marketed, and in Mexico, exporters source the fruit from the Michoacán and Jalisco producing regions. During the last five years, avocado exports have registered an annual average of slightly about 2.0 million dollars, according to data from the Mexican Ministry of Economy. Once a purchase price

Smaller sizes on pears are tight on supplies and strong on pricing

Overview of the Washington pear season by Randy Hartmann of Pacificpro, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in FreshPlaza.com on February 23, 2021 Pear supplies down slightly for 2020 and consumption trends of the fruit are strong. Randy Hartmann of Bellevue, WA-based Pacificpro notes the total Northwest pear crop is down from 2019. “The largest variety grown in Washington and Oregon is the Green D'Anjou variety, accounting for approximately 50 percent of the total pear crop and that was off from early projections of around 8.5 million cartons, to closer to 8 million. That’s down around 11 percent year-over-year,” he says. “Much of the decrease can be attributed to lower yields on some older orchards.” Volumes (in Kg) of pear from Washington in the US Market Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics . (Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here ) Those older orchards producing lower yields are proving to be a challenge fo

Agronometrics in Charts: Demand for berries skyrockets in 2021

This time for the ‘In Charts’ series we will give an update as to how the average prices of berries have been behaving. Specifically, we will look at the prices of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries in the United States market and compare them with previous seasons. An increase in demand, brought on by the tendency to consume “superfoods” such as berries during the Covid-19 pandemic, seem to have pushed prices up despite the fact that volumes imported by the United States have been similar or higher than those of previous years. Let's look at each particular case: Blueberries Blueberry prices experienced a significant increase from week 3 of 2021, showing the highest prices of the last 5 seasons for the same date. If we observe the following chart, we can see that, for week 7 of 2021, the average price of conventional blueberries was $7.60 per kilo. This is 24 percent higher than in 2020 when the average price was $6.14 per kilo. Volumes for blueberr

Colombia ramps up avocado exports to U.S., on journey to become alternative supplier

Overview of the avocados from Colombia in the U.S., complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in FresFruitPortal.com on February 15, 2021 Since gaining market access to the U.S. in August 2017, Colombian Hass avocado exports have increased significantly and industry stakeholders are optimistic about a bright future. Volumes (in KG) of avocados from Colombia in the US Market Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics . (Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here ) To get a sense of what the future could hold for exports to the U.S., FreshFruitPortal.com spoke with Jorge Restrepo, the executive director of national industry body CorpoHass, as well as representatives of two of the world’s biggest avocado companies, Westfalia and Mission Produce, which both have extensive operations and growth plans in the country. According to Restrepo, exports have grown “at a faster rate than was expected” in terms of year-on-year percentages. Whil

Five to seven days ahead of historical bloom dates, Early California cherry varieties have reached full bloom

Overview of the upcoming cherry season by Chris Medeiros of Meena Farm,complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in FreshPlaza.com on February 19, 2021 The first sign of bloom for cherry trees in the Gustine area in California was on February 7 and full bloom was seen on February 15. Gustine, located in the Central Valley, is becoming increasingly known for early cherries. “Typically, our bloom starts a bit later,” says Chris Medeiros with Meena Farms, grower and exporter of fresh market cherries. “We are about five to seven days ahead of historical bloom dates for our area,” he added. Weather and time may still delay harvest dates, but Medeiros admits that the season is on a good early track now. Origin (in Kg) of cherries in the US Market during the 2020 cherry season Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics . (Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here ) Good number of chill hours Although it is too early to make estimates fo

Mexican organic asparagus volume will apply price pressure

Overview of the organic asparagus from Mexico in the U.S., complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in FreshPlaza.com on February 12, 2021 With Mexican production of organic asparagus coming on significantly, there’s likely to be pricing pressure in the marketplace. Currently, supplies are coming from San Luis and the Imperial Valley. “We’ve seen supply become abundant here—literally within days,” says Ethan Abendroth, national sales manager for San Francisco, CA-based Earl’s Organic Produce, adding that supplies out of Mexico will go until April. Meanwhile California should come on as well this week with supplies out of Gonzales. All of this means there looks to be more consistent supplies overall of asparagus. “A decent percentage of asparagus in California is being pulled out of the ground because of the pricing structure. Mexico has the capacity to produce more and as organics get more sophisticated year after year, it allows for more product to be av

Apple and pear sales continue to rise in 2021

Overview of the Washington organic apple supply, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in Produce Blue Book on February 15, 2021 Yakima, WA- January apple and pear data provide a glimpse of the year ahead. Trends to heed: organic apple and pear sales continue their boom, Cosmic Crisp apple rises in rank in its sophomore year, and proprietary apples, such as Autumn Glory, drive category growth. The following information is based on Nielsen reports ending January 23, 2021. Volumes (in Kg) of organic apples from Washington in the US Market Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics . (Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here ) Volumes (in Kg) of organic pears from Washington in the US Market Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics . (Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here ) Organic apple and pear sales were on fire in January, as they have been for much of 2020. This is a trend to watch, as organics

Agronometrics in Charts: USITC Rules Imported Blueberries do not Seriously Injure US Industry

On Feb. 11 the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) determined that fresh, chilled, or frozen blueberries are not being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury, or the threat of serious injury, to the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with the imported article. The determination was made in the context of an investigation initiated on September 29, 2020 at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative. The Commission’s determination resulted from a 5-0 vote, and as a result, the investigation will end, and the Commission will not recommend a remedy to the President. An affirmative vote could have eventually resulted in the imposition of trade barriers such as tariffs for imports of what has become one of the star products of the produce industry over recent years. Making a Case Through Data Although Agronometrics has not been a party to the proceedings, our team was involved from

In 2021, Peru should export 10% more avocados

Overview of the Peruvian avocado exports, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in FreshPlaza.com on February 12, 2021 Peru's avocado crop for the 2021 calendar year is estimated at 560,000 tons. Peru grows mainly two types of avocados. Hass, of which 95% are intended for export. And Fuerte, mostly for local consumption. The total cultivation area is around 35,000 hectares. Of this, 27,000 ha are certified for export. The average expected yield per hectare is 14 to 17 tonnes. The La Libertad and Lima regions account for more than 40% of the country's total avocado farming. Most avocado farms can be found along Peru's desert coast. Larger producers use water from the Andes via federal water channels. They carefully administer this water. Growers combine drip irrigation, sensors, and irrigation software. Consumption Peru's local avocado consumption is estimated at 150,000 tons per year. Each Peruvian eat about five kgs. They prefer gree