MICHOACAN and JALISCO, MEXICO – After a briefer than average California season and tumultuous beginning to the Mexican avocado season, GreenFruit Avocados is on its way toward September’s peak season with a strong organics program and expanding growing operations.
“We have had a very turbulent beginning of the new crop with high demand and record breaking field cost in Mexico. The shorter than average California seasons surely compounded the challenges we are having today,” explained Brian Gomez, Vice President. “Prices are peaking with high field pricing, and demand in the U.S. remains strong. We are experiencing historical high FOB prices for this time of year. Organic avocados trends continue to outpace conventional growth.”
Brian explains that the season is rounding a corner and will soon enter what is known as “Adventajada” bloom—when fruit reaches peak availability.
“The light is at the end of the tunnel as we enter the ‘Adventajada’ and ‘Normal’ bloom. In Mexico, the avocado trees have four distinct blooms with different characteristics. The ‘Flora Loca/Mendez’ bloom, is in full swing. This is the first bloom of the new season. As we enter the mid-September, we move into the ‘Adventajada’ bloom and followed by the ‘Normal’ bloom. This is the peak harvest period for avocado from Mexico. This is when availability is at its best. The ‘Normal’ bloom fruit is size curve leans more towards size 48s and 60s and are shaped and textures more like the fruit we often see in pictures. The last bloom of the season is called the ‘Marcena’ bloom. Generally harvested in March and wraps up in late summer. Fruit is often more roundish and has a smoother texture.”
And while a volatile set of circumstances have made for a challenging beginning to the country’s avocado season, GreenFruit has managed to weather the storm with prudent investments in organic growing and to its growing operations in Mexico and abroad.
“Organic avocados have entered the mainstream retail markets and complement a well-developed retail avocado program. We are fortune to have a 3rd generation grower-owner that has made substantial investments in the expansion of our ‘Nature Grown’ organic program in Mexico,” Brian added. “GreenFruit is continuing to expand its growing reach in Mexico by purchasing more land and planting Hass avocado trees. Most recently we have made strong investments in Colombia to grow and pack as well in the near future. The global demand for Hass avocados will continue to rise, we feel Colombia will play a crucial role in the next up and coming years since they were recently granted access into the United States.”
For more on GreenFruit Avocados and the Mexican avocado season as it progresses, stick with AndNowUKnow.
