US(CA): Avocado prices high heading into summer
Avocados have jumped in price this month as Mexican imports have dropped off. It's likely prices…Avocados have jumped in price this month as Mexican imports have dropped off. It's likely prices will remain high until imports increase once again.
“We were expecting more fruit from Mexico,” said Gary Clevenger with Freska Produce International. “Maybe there was some bad communication with how much fruit growers had down there or they just didn't realize how much was left, but there was a big drop-off in imports from Mexico this month.”
Clevenger estimates that, due to the drop-off, prices have about doubled in the last two weeks. California is the main supplier of avocados right now, and what's available is being snatched up quickly because of strong demand.
“I expect a strong market until Mexico starts harvesting again, and that could be until mid to late-July,” added Clevenger. “Prices could come down, but it just depends how much is shipped to the U.S. versus what's consumed in Mexico and what's shipped to Europe.”