Analysis and Studies - Products analysis

Avocado: import and export

Avocados, tropical fruits originally from Central and South America, have experienced a surge in popularity worldwide over the past few decades, becoming a staple in many diets.

One notable characteristic of avocados is their versatility. They can be enjoyed in various ways, such as sliced in salads, mashed as guacamole, spread on toast, blended into smoothies, or used as a healthy fat substitute in baking.

The popularity of avocados has grown significantly in recent years, thanks to their reputation as a nutritious and delicious food. This has led to increased global trade and consumption of avocados.

In 2021, avocados, whether fresh or dried, ranked as the 480th most traded product globally, with a total trade value of $7.73 billion. Between 2020 and 2021, avocado exports witnessed a notable growth of 15.3%, rising from $6.71 billion to $7.73 billion. Avocado trade accounted for a mere 0.00037% of the overall world trade.

Mexico, a North American nation, claimed the top spot as the leading exporter and producer of avocados in 2021, with exports worth $3.2 billion. Following Mexico, Peru ($1.15 billion), the Netherlands ($967 million), Spain ($467 million), and Chile ($320 million) also played significant roles as exporters in South America.

In terms of imports, the United States held the position of the largest importer of avocados in 2021, with a total value of $2.8 billion. The popularity of avocados in various culinary recipes contributed to their high demand in the US. Other notable importers included the Netherlands ($916 million), France ($539 million), Spain ($445 million), and Germany ($346 million).

Mexico, as previously mentioned, stood as the world's leading avocado producer, boasting a production volume of 2.4 million tons in 2021. This impressive figure allowed Mexico to contribute approximately 45% to the global avocado supply.