From Jan. to Aug. this year, China’s avocado imports have rebounded significantly. In the same period last year, China imported a total of 18,912 tons of avocados. In the first eight months of this year, China’s imports of avocados have increased to 24,670 tons.

From the perspective of importing countries, China imported 1,804 tons from Mexico last year, accounting for about 9.5% of total imports. This year, China imported 5,539 tons from Mexico, a significant increase in its share, reaching 22.5%.

Mexico is the world’s largest producer of avocados, accounting for about 30% of the world’s total production. In the 2021/22 season, the country’s avocado production will usher in a small year. The national output is expected to reach 2.33 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 8%.

Due to the strong market demand and the high profitability of the product, the avocado planting area in Mexico is increasing at an annual rate of 3%. The country mainly produces three varieties of avocados, Hass, Criollo and Fuerte. Among them, Haas accounted for the largest proportion, accounting for 97% of the total output.

In addition to Mexico, Peru is also a major producer and exporter of avocados. The total export volume of Peruvian avocados in 2021 is expected to reach 450,000 tons, an increase of 10% over 2020. From January to August this year, China imported 17,800 tons of Peruvian avocados, an increase of 39% from the 12,800 tons in the same period in 2020.

Chile’s avocado production is also very high this year, and the local industry is also very optimistic about exports to the Chinese market this season. In 2019, Colombian avocados were allowed to be exported to China for the first time. Colombia’s production this season is low, and due to the impact of shipping, there are fewer sales in the Chinese market.

Except for South American countries, New Zealand’s avocados overlap with Peru’s late season and Chile’s early season. In the past, New Zealand avocados were exported mostly to Japan and South Korea. Due to the output this year and the quality performance last year, many local orchards have begun to pay attention to the Chinese market, hoping to increase exports to China and more suppliers will ship to China.