A recent report from the Hass Avocado Board and Cirad indicates that Peruvian avocado plantings are expected to slow in the next five years due to various challenges such as climate issues and market saturation. In light of declining profitability and competition from other crops, the report suggests positive new plantings if growers focus on adapting practices and addressing climate impacts.
The Hass Avocado Board and Cirad have jointly released a mid-term projection concerning avocado production in leading U.S. avocado-supplying nations, aiming to assist investors, growers, and industry participants in understanding market dynamics. This collaborative project, initiated in 2019, evaluated the avocado industry across key countries, including Peru, Mexico, California, Chile, and Colombia, and has revisited the progression of the avocado market to forecast trends leading to 2030.
The report indicates an overall continued expansion in avocado cultivation from 2019 to 2022; however, there has been a stark deceleration in new plantings since that period. The projected avocado cultivation area for 2024 is estimated to be 76,750 hectares, with Olmos, Chavimochic, the Lima Valleys, and Sierra identified as the principal regions for avocado supply.
Both Olmos and Chavimochic have recently experienced a decline in planting rates. In Olmos, factors such as decreased profitability, heightened water scarcity, extreme weather events, and lower-than-anticipated yields have contributed to this trend. Chavimochic, conversely, confronts obstacles including expensive land, market saturation, and competition from crops like blueberries and emerging grape varieties.
The Lima Valleys and Sierra areas, while also experiencing slow development, continue to progress albeit at a reduced pace. The report sheds light on the various socioeconomic, climatic, and political influences that have shaped the Peruvian avocado landscape in the last five years. Profitability has diminished due to escalating costs both globally and nationally, disappointing yields, competition from the EU, market saturation, climate challenges, political unrest, and the rising appeal of competing crops.
Despite the anticipated slowdown in growth, the report asserts that new plantings should persist in a positive trajectory. To bolster productivity and yields, it suggests replanting with rootstocks better adapted to changing climates and salinity challenges, alongside improved technical management practices.
In conclusion, the report underscores the deceleration of avocado plantings in Peru over the next five years, influenced by various socioeconomic and climatic factors. While challenges persist in cultivation areas such as Olmos and Chavimochic, a positive outlook for new plantings remains if growers adopt innovative practices to enhance productivity. Continuous monitoring and strategic adjustments will be crucial as the avocado market approaches 2030.
Original Source: www.freshfruitportal.com
