Florida avocado shipments take a step back in 2021

Florida avocado shipments totaled 1.11 million 25-pound cartons in 2021, according to the USDA Market News Service.

That total was down 23% from 1.43 million 25-pound cartons in 2020, the USDA said, and 39% lower than 1.83 million cartons in 2019.

The dip in volume has corresponded with a dip in Florida avocado bearing acreage. Florida avocado bearing acreage in 2021 was 4,400 acres, down 4% from 4,600 acres in 2020, off 27% from 6,000 acres in 2019 and 24% off from 5,800 acres from 2018.

While shipments have declined, average fob prices have been trending higher. In 2021, the average fob price for Florida avocados was $18.68, up 17% from 2020 and up 42% from 2019, according to the USDA.

Florida avocados are available year-round, but the heaviest volume from the state in 2021 ran from June through December. 

The top shipment month for Florida avocados in 2021 was August, when shippers moved 225,200 cartons, or about  20% of the state's total annual fresh shipments. 

In 2021, August was followed in importance by July, which featured 201,600 cartons, or about 18% of annual volume. September shipments were 196,800 cartons, or about 18% of annual volume.

Average FOB Prices for Florida Avocados

6/12/2021     $19.00 
6/19/2021     $20.25 
6/26/2021     $19.38 
7/3/2021         $17.38 
7/10/2021     $16.75 
7/17/2021     $18.75 
7/24/2021     $19.75 
7/31/2021     $20.75 
8/7/2021         $19.75 
8/14/2021     $19.25 
8/21/2021     $18.25 
8/28/2021     $18.00 
9/4/2021         $19.00 
9/11/2021     $19.25 
9/18/2021     $20.00 
9/25/2021     $20.00 
10/2/2021     $19.75 
10/9/2021     $20.13 
10/16/2021     $20.50 
10/23/2021     $20.25 
10/30/2021     $18.83 
11/6/2021     $16.79 
11/13/2021     $14.25 
11/20/2021     $14.00 
11/27/2021     $14.75 
12/4/2021     $14.75 
12/11/2021     $17.00 

Source: USDA