Chilean avocado production and exports will be up big in 2023-24, according to a new USDA report.
The USDA predicts Chilean avocado production in 2023-24 (July 2023 through June 2024) will total 200,000 metric tons, up 21% from the previous season. Favorable climatic conditions and abundant rainfall contributed to the bigger crop, the report said.
The Chilean avocado area planted will total 80,805 acres in 2023-24, 1% above last season, the report said.
Marketing year 2023-24 exports are projected by the USDA at 110,000 metric tons, 24.4% higher compared with the previous season.
Chile’s top export market for avocados in 2022-23 was the Netherlands, followed by Argentina, the United Kingdom, China, Spain and the U.S.
Chilean avocado exports peak between October and December.
The U.S. has become less important as an export destination for Chilean avocado exports over the past several years.
USDA trade numbers show U.S. imports of Chilean avocados were valued at $15.4 million from October 2022 through September 2023, down from $64.7 million in the same period of 2017-18.
