Colombia Avocado Board aims to meet surging U.S. demand with expanded exports, sustainable practices, and quality commitments
Colombian Avocados are expected to make a substantial entry into the U.S. market in the final quarter of 2024, with an estimated 30 million pounds projected to be shipped, according to a recent announcement from The Colombia Avocado Board (CAB) at its Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.
This growth marks a significant milestone in Colombian avocado exports to the United States, following a record-breaking summer that emphasized the rising demand for Hass avocados in the country.
Overall, CAB projects that nearly 95 million pounds of Colombian avocados will reach the U.S. market by the end of 2024, marking a remarkable increase from the previous year’s export total of 30 million pounds, as reported by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
Since gaining export approval in 2017 from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS), Colombia’s Hass avocado exports have grown steadily each year.
New orchards reaching full production and a strategic reallocation of Colombian avocado supply from other global markets have driven this exponential growth, aiming to meet the U.S. demand. CAB has focused on building sustainable relationships with the U.S. market, where consumption of fresh avocados continues to rise each year.
To accommodate this demand, Colombia has expanded its avocado-growing operations, with nine regions now producing avocados and approximately 29,000 acres certified for export to the U.S. Many growers have also pursued additional third-party certifications, including Global G.A.P. and Rainforest Alliance, to ensure quality and sustainability standards.
The Colombian avocado industry has become the third-largest fruit export for the country, following bananas and plantains, and contributes significantly to local employment, supporting nearly 240,000 jobs in various regions.
“Our mission is to supply the U.S. market with premium Colombia avocados, with over 3,500 Colombian avocado producers, we’re proud to supply nutritious and flavorful avocados to American consumers. As U.S. demand for avocados continues to rise, we are committed to delivering high-quality fruit while having a long-lasting and positive impact on the local communities and environment where we grow”
Manuel Michel, Managing Director of CAB
CAB’s efforts reflect a broader strategy of social responsibility and environmental stewardship, aligning with Colombia’s commitment to sustainable agriculture.
Ricardo Uribe, Chairman of CAB, highlighted that quality and consistency remain paramount. “As U.S. per capita consumption of fresh avocados increases every year, our goal is not only to meet but exceed consumer expectations at retail and beyond,” stated Uribe. “Consistent high quality, environmental and economic stewardship, and social responsibility are at the heart of what we do. When consumers choose Colombian avocados, they are supporting a thriving industry that is helping to write a new chapter in Colombia’s history,” he continued.
Looking toward 2025, CAB expects further growth, with the anticipation that another record-breaking year is on the horizon.
The organization’s efforts to build partnerships among exporters, importers, and buyers are critical to supporting this expansion, with CAB leading initiatives to drive demand for Colombian avocados in the U.S. market.
With its favorable climate, fertile land, and longstanding history in agriculture, Colombia has positioned itself as a key player in the global avocado industry.
The country currently operates 30 certified packing houses approved for U.S. exports, and recent infrastructure improvements, particularly in seaports, have streamlined the export process.
These efforts underscore Colombia’s commitment to strengthening its footprint in the U.S. market and highlight the nation’s potential to maintain and expand its supply chain in response to growing consumer demand.