The hass avocado grown in Santa Elena will be exported to the European Union

The hass avocado plants are 20 months old on the Las Cinthyas farm. The field is already lush with the 65th units that have grown.

The hass avocado grown in Santa Elena will be exported to the European Union

This variety of avocado is rough-looking, darker, smaller, and can weigh between 180 and 200 grams. It is desired abroad for its high fat content.

Andrés Villamil, administrator of the farm located in the El Azúcar area , in Santa Elena, says that the production is intended to be exported to the European Union starting next year.

Mexico, Peru and Chile are the main producers of avocado hass, a variety that is not only being used for consumption in homes and restaurants, but in the cosmetic industry.

The plans of this farm, which began with the investment of a Chilean, is to preliminarily export three tons per hectare.

The Ministry of Agriculture believes that due to high productivity and access to markets, avocado is one of the non-traditional items in Ecuador that has exportable potential.

From sowing to harvesting, it can take two to two and a half years. Santa Elena has a favorable climate for the cultivation of this variety.

Xavier Lazo, Minister of Agriculture , who visited that plantation days ago, said that avocado consumption is increasing worldwide and locally, generating profitability on a small, medium and large scale.

This product has sanitary access for approximately 30 destinations. In order to enter more markets, producers need to be able to obtain certifications such as Global Gap, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), or organic certification.

Currently it is estimated that 400 hectares of this variety are planted in the Sierra and 250 hectares in the Coast.

Xavier Freile, president of Corpoaguate , a union that brings together 24 members, estimates that in five years there will be 5,000 hectares planted. The leader is optimistic that the Ministry is seeing the potential of this product.

World demand for the fruit is on the rise. Imports of avocado worldwide for 2019 grew by 2% compared to 2018. The United States, the Netherlands, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany participate in 76% of world purchases of this fruit.

Depending on the destination, the avocado is sold in boxes of 18 and 25 kilos. The price per kilo, depending on the season, can range from $ 1.5 to $ 1.80.

Lazo affirmed that Ecuador has to focus on growing products with high international demand, because in this particular case, it can be done on a small and medium scale.

Non-traditional agricultural products with potential

The non-traditional agricultural products that are being promoted for export are those primary products that have a current sanitary opening with the largest number of countries.

In this group are the pitahaya, uvilla, avocado, blackberry, quinoa, taro, sweet potato, tree tomato, naranjilla, pineapple, granadilla, and passion fruit.

Of the products identified, mainly fruits have already been exported. Between 2015 and 2019, uvilla exports were around 106 tons; quinoa, 1,851 tons; pitahaya, 4,820 tons; and taro 13,406 tons, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Currently the main destination countries of Ecuadorian agricultural products are: United States (23%), Russia (15%), Germany (6%), Italy (6%). These 4 countries represent 50% of the market.

The possibility of sending non-traditional or exotic products to Asian countries is being explored, therefore, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, it is working together with Agrocalidad on issues of good practice to access markets with greater demands on quality, as is the case from Japan. (I)