Brooks Tropicals sees favorable growing season, expected volume increase for Florida avocados

Homestead, Fla.-based Brooks Tropicals LLC will see an increase in Florida avocado production because of new grafts bearing fruit, says Peter Leifermann, vice president of sales and marketing.

“Over the past few years, we have invested over $1 million in transitioning some varieties into others based on various production, harvest, and fruit characteristics,” Leifermann said. “Overall, Florida avocado industry acreage has shrunk though, due to economic forces (land value) and devastation brought on by the Laurel Wilt virus.”

Crop conditions in south Florida have been favorable for avocados, he said, with only one hail-event and little wind.

“It has also been warm with showers nearly every day and our tropical avocados love it when it’s wet,” Leifermann said, noting that January through April has been the wettest in four years and May has been more of the same.

Marketing

Communication efforts with customers regular crop updates, with production and price expectations.

“Now that travel restrictions have eased up, we look forward to again hosting customer grove visits and teaching buyers “how the (tropical) sausage is made,” Leifermann said.

On the packaging front, Leifermann said that although large tropical avocadoes do not naturally lend themselves to alternate packaging, Brooks Tropicals will continue its 4-count options as the opportunities arise.

“While the bagged hass has really been a shot in the arm for that segment of our industry, we’ve been offering bagged opportunities with our SlimCado brand for years,” he said.

Big displays of Florida tropical avocados help retailers across the country get the attention of consumers, he said. Leifermann said shoppers love to have a choice between hass fruit and the Florida avocado.

“Florida avocados, on average, weigh 1.4 pounds each – compared to less than half a pound for their popular cousins,” he said. “Consumers love the convenience of only having to cut and peel one avocado to get their guac’ on, or otherwise enjoy all of the healthy benefits of avocados.”

Long term outlook

Leifermann said there is intense pressure on growers to capitalize on the value of their land in the real estate market, especially so now when production costs are rising fast.

Fertilizer costs have risen about 70% compared with last year, and he said other growing costs have increased in a similar way. “We manage over 1,000 acres and even grove-level food safety inspection and certification costs are up 50%, but we’re never taking short-cuts when it comes to our products,” Leifermann said.

South Florida has a high cost of living, and labor costs follow that, he said.

“So far, we have found seasonal labor to be slightly more available this year than last, although it is costing more,” Leifermann said, noting the company has a core of about 100 year-round employees and does not expect to use the H-2A guest worker program this year.

Despite the inflationary challenges of growing in south Florida, he said Brooks Tropicals has “doubled-down” on continual variety development and is taking measures in the field to ensure a consistent supply of SlimCado branded tropical avocados from Florida.

“We’re focused on the continuing to develop avocado sales in North America and to keep providing the consistent quality and service levels that have built the industry over many decades,” he said. 

The company has invested heavily in research and development, he said, employing agronomists and constantly working to improve agricultural practices. The company’s post-harvest treatments, including hydro-cooling technology, helps top quality, he said. 

“As the second-largest importer of tropical avocado and representing about 35% of the Florida industry – combining to make Brooks Tropicals the single largest distributor of tropical avocado in North America – our commitment is as strong as ever,” Leifermann said.