Specialists warn that the Chilean avocado will reach historic prices during March. What is this about? The increase in the price of avocado has been a constant in recent times in Chile, but now experts from veggothe digital platform of Lo Valledor, warn of a sustained increase that could take its value to 10,000 pesos per kilo during March.
Avocado consumption in Chile
The avocado has become an essential food in the Chilean diet, reaching a per capita consumption of 7 to 8 kilos per year, which places it as the second most consumed fruit in the country. However, its growing demand has led to a sustained increase in its price that has significantly affected the pockets of consumers.
The deficit in production, cause of the increase in the price
Paolo Vegaan agronomist and purchasing manager at Veggo, has warned about the sustained increase in the price of avocado, which is expected to reach an average of one thousand pesos per kilo per week until April, due to the deficit in production caused by the lack of water in avocado plantations.
“You have to carefully observe the price of the avocado. An average increase of one thousand pesos per kilo per week is estimated until April, which is when the Peruvian avocado appears.”Vega warns.
EYE: Each kilo of avocado requires approximately 2,000 liters of water, which has generated a decrease in production.
The sociopolitical crisis in Peru affects avocado exports
Although the import of avocado from Peru could make up for the lack of Chilean production, the socio-political crisis that the country is going through could affect the export market, generating a possible decrease in the receipt of the fruit or in the sale price.
According to Gabriel Amaro Alzamoraexecutive director of the Association of Agricultural Producers Guilds of Peru, the stoppages generated by the sociopolitical crisis also affect the production chain, which could have a negative impact on the market.
The arrival of Colombian avocado could stabilize the price
Despite the crisis in Chilean avocado production, the arrival of Colombian avocado could be a solution to the current situation.
Colombia has become the second power in avocado cultivation and has cultivation conditions that allow growth throughout the year, which could make up for the deficit in local production and stabilize the price of Chilean avocados in the national market.