Previous Story
Hass avocados can generate more than 300 million dollars for export
Posted On 15 Jun 2020
Due to its exceptional marketing and market access opportunities, Hass avocado is one of the non-traditional items in Ecuador that offers better expectations for agro-export.
Hass avocados can generate more than 300 million dollars for export
It is estimated that this fruit could generate around 360 million dollars per year, with at least 34 potential sales markets. Therefore, from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, its production is promoted, especially as an ideal item for crop diversification.
One of the segments that has benefited the most from planting this fruit is Family and Peasant Agriculture, said Minister Xavier Lazo, due to the potential generation of employment and self-employment, which makes the activity sustainable. “It also allows recovering currently wasted areas and turning them into productive spaces that generate employment and development,” he added.
Andrés Villamil, administrator of an avocado producing farm installed a year and a half ago in the province of Santa Elena, said that world demand grows by 10% each year.
“The important thing about this product is that it can be consumed fresh or industrialized, it is even being used in cosmetics and medicine, and this increases its potential. We are very excited ”, he assured.
Villamil said that they aspire to export 3 tons per hectare initially.
In this sense, the holder of the MAG affirmed that Ecuador has to go towards the cultivation of products with greater demand, because in this particular case, it can be done on a small and medium scale.
“With local market prices and one hectare of crops, our farmers can significantly improve their standard of living, especially the smallest,” he said.
Globally, in 2018 more than 2 million tons of avocados were imported, valued at about 6 billion dollars. The United States, the Netherlands and France represent more than 55% of total world imports.
In Ecuador, 20,995 tons of avocado are currently produced on a total of 4,653 hectares.
