Mexican avocado production and exports to the U.S. will increase again in 2020-21, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
The report said that Mexican avocado exports to the U.S. for marketing year 2020-21 (July through June) are forecast at 1.02 million metric tons, up 6% from the previous marketing year.
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges to agricultural harvests and supply chains, avocado demand in the United States remains strong and is forecast to increase,” the report said.
In the 2019-20 marketing year, Mexico shipped a record quantity and value of avocados to the U.S., at 963,539 metric tons and $2.4 billion, respectively.
Mexico ships about 76% of its total avocado exports to the U.S.. Michoacán remains the only state with clearance to export to the U.S.
Mexico’s avocado exports to countries other than the U.S. totaled 139,954 metric tons in 2019-20, a 6% decrease from the previous marketing year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and increased transportation and logistics prices, according to the USDA report.
Mexican avocado exports to all countries for marketing year 2020-21 are forecast at 1.35 million metric tons, 6% higher than the previous marketing year.
Mexico first
Mexico is the world’s leading producer and exporter of avocados globally, according to the USDA.
Michoacán’s 2019-20 production was 7% higher compared to the previous marketing year.
Planted area for Michoacán in marketing year 2020-21 is forecast at 426,000 acres, 2% higher from the previous marketing year. Avocado production is forecast at 1.74 million metric tons, 3% higher than the previous marketing year.
