Peru remains the leading avocado supplier to China, followed by Mexico and Chile. In 2021, China imported over 26 thousand mt of fresh avocados from Peru, accounting for 64% of the imported avocado market share.
Avocados are increasingly popular among China's new health-conscious middle class, with trendy chefs now adding the “butter fruit” to many dishes.
Exports/Imports
The United States is a net importer of avocados from Mexico. Mexico supplied most of the avocados imported into the United States in 2021. In 2021 the United States imported $3 billion in fresh avocados and exported approximately $31 million in fresh avocados (ERS 2021).
Avocado production in Australia
The main varieties produced are Hass and Shephard. Australia imports avocados from New Zealand, mainly from September to March, which supplements the Australian supply during the spring/summer harvest season.
A kilogramme of avocados in China fetches around $8 compared to $6 that offered by most European markets for the same quantity.
Peru remains the leading avocado supplier to China, followed by Mexico and Chile. In 2021, China imported over 26 thousand mt of fresh avocados from Peru, accounting for 64% of the imported avocado market share.
China's avocado production and imports are estimated to grow as the demand for high-quality fresh avocados continue to rise.
They are grown in QLD, NSW,VIC, SA and WA. Hass avocados are usually available May to February while Shepard avocados are only available from February to May.
Grown in the cool, clean air of tropical North Queensland, Atherton Tablelands avocados are a smashing success across Australia.
But Woolworths confirmed they still support local farmers and said "100% of our avocado supply is Australian grown".
“Australia has [for now] limited market access for exporting avocados, largely because of the Queensland Fruit Fly affecting phytosanitary requirements of importing countries,” explains Piggott.
Australian avocado industry overview
Increased production, particularly in Queensland, led to a record A$55.1 million of avocado exports in 2022. Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia are Australia's major avocado markets. Producers are seeking to establish new markets, including in Japan and now India.
In 2021, Mexico (X tons) constituted the largest avocado supplier to Japan, accounting for a 84% share of total imports.
What are the most popular fruits in China? Some fruits are prevalent to see in China and also very welcomed by Chinese people. Watermelons, apples, grapes, pears, mandarins, bananas, strawberries, pineapples, lychees, longan, cherries, mangos, papayas, grapefruits, and peaches are all popular fruits in China.
Mexico is the largest producer, producing 1,889,354 tonnes year, followed by the Dominican Republic, Peru, Colombia, Peru, Peru, and Indonesia, which produces 304,938 tonnes annually. Other countries include Brazil (195,492), the United States (172,630), Chile (137,365), and China (122,942 in 10th place).
China's top exported fruit categories in 2022 were fresh apples, fresh table grapes, citrus (including mandarins and satsumas), fresh pears and grapefruit.
The two most common varieties grown in Australia are the Shepard and Hass. Shepard avocados have smooth, glossy green skin that doesn't change colour with ripeness. They are rich and nutty in taste, with a buttery texture.
By keeping the distance that a product needs to travel low, that means less gas and less overhead cost. For example, fresh avocados at Aldi are only $0.49 each, whereas at Walmart they're $0.88 each.
"Fertiliser costs have been increasing, and then with the wet weather there's additional costs that come with that, for additional chemicals they need," she said. "Labour shortages are also contributing to the additional costs on the growers."
Rich in vitamin B to fight fatigue and monounsaturated fats that support heart health, Australian avocados are a real superfood to always have in your kitchen.
In Australia, acclimatisation societies had experimented with avocados since the mid-19th century. In 1864, a Mr Lacy H. Rumsey of the Ipswich Parsonage sent a letter to the Queensland Acclimatisation society advising them that his plant, imported from Jamaica, had been growing for seven years.
Despite the huge numbers of avocados grown in Australia the fruit is still imported. Last year about 24,700 tonnes of fresh and dried avocados entered the country — a 64 per cent jump in imports from 2019.
Michoacán is one of the few places in the world where avocados grow all year. One reason for Michoacán's massive cultivation of avocados is its climate: Not only does it have rich volcanic soil, but there is also enough sunlight and rainfall throughout the year for the fruit to grow.
The exporter will be required to obtain a Certificate of Origin, as well as an Export Clearance from the Horticultural Crops Directorate. Kephis will also need to issue a Phytosanitary Certificate that ascertains the produce meets required quality standards.
Despite its domestic production, China has been a net importer [DOC] of agricultural products since 2004. Today, it imports more of these products—including soybeans, corn, wheat, rice, and dairy products—than any other country.