UNITED STATES - Reports have flooded in noting that avocado supplies have been extremely light, leading to an overall tight market. In order to learn more about the issues impacting the situation, we turned to members of the industry for comment.

Jan DeLyser, Vice President of Marketing for the California Avocado Commission, provided her thoughts to ANUK.

“The avocado market has been impacted by supply and demand challenges as well as the recent inflation (costs of production and distribution) affecting many fresh produce items,” she explained. “A recent Key Performance Metrics release by the Hass Avocado Board showed increased dollar sales in the first quarter of the year, to the tune of 15.9 percent. That same HAB report indicated that avocados are one of the top five fruit sales items with apples, grapes, melons, and bananas. The California industry has shipped more fruit earlier this year than in past years, and we expect to continue to harvest promotable volume through the summer months.”

According to The Source, the light avocado supplies can be contributed to a number of factors. Reduced harvest due to Holy Week kept supplies light, and border issues have continued to slow the entrance of volumes needed to satisfy demand.

The report went on to note that markets are increasing due to low harvest and slow crossings at the border.

We’ll continue to keep you abreast of the situation, so stay tuned to us here at AndNowUKnow.