The last two months have been particularly difficult for the avocado, but the situation seems to be improving. “In November and December 2021, the avocado market hit a record low. Like many other references, we were confronted with a significant lack of consumption in favor of other more festive products. The market has also been more than loaded, with products of mediocre quality, especially from Chile. We have therefore had to be even more careful with our purchases in order to limit the losses, which were unfortunately relatively high on the scale of the market,” explains Loïc Creignou, manager of Primouest Impex.
Too many origins and mediocre quality
Too much supply on a market clogged by several origins. “Israel was very present at the end of the year. As for Chile, the origin flooded the market with small calibers, which are much less popular at the end of the year. Mexico was also present, but the origin quickly withdrew from the European market in favor of the United States. Then Spain from mid-November, with a mediocre quality due to the strong winds that have hit the orchards causing the fruits to fall and affecting their quality. For us, this led to significant sorting operations in order to offer merchandise under different categories. Finally, the campaign from Morocco also started in December.”
Revival of the consumption
Today, the market seems to have cleared, with better control over quality, lower volumes and a demand that is finally making a comeback. “The market is currently much healthier, with products mostly from Spain, Morocco and Chile. The volumes from Chile are decreasing and we are at the heart of the Spanish season, whose quality is now better than it was early in the campaign. Last week, sales really picked up again. If consumption continues to increase, the situation should improve day by day.”
Exito: a brand of premium avocados from Spain and South Africa
Primouest Impex selects its avocados from Spain and South Africa and then sells them under the premium brand Exito. “We created this brand six years ago. It gathers the best avocados we receive in terms of quality. We work indeed directly with two Spanish producers who strive to provide us with quality fruits grown with a respectful water management system. An important aspect for many of our clients. We are also very pleased with the avocados we import from South Africa, which are particularly reliable in terms of quality. A significant asset compared to the avocados from Peru, which are available at the same time but are less reliable in terms of quality. The secret is to work in the ripening of the fresh fruit. For this, it is important to get shipments every week. The less we use fridges, the better it is for the quality of the fruit.”
For more information:
Loïc CreignouPrimouest ImpexPhone: 07 76 11 88 17[email protected]