December 2024 Fruit Industry Trends and Highlights – Late

Colombia Achieves Record Avocado Exports as Global Shipments Grow

In week 51, Colombia set a new record with 250 avocado container exports, a 15% weekly increase from the previous week. Europe remains Colombia’s top export market, accounting for 73% of exports in 2024, while the U.S. makes up 27%. U.S. exports fell by 20% due to a 21% drop in Mexican shipments, but Colombia’s exports to the U.S. rose by 11%. In Europe, shipments grew by 20%, with Chile leading at 22%, followed by Israel and Colombia. Large avocados (32-40 count) hit $67.50 per 25-pound box, while smaller sizes saw a 9% price drop. In China, shipments grew 19%, with Chile dominating the market. Chile’s exports increased by 4% week-over-week, and its trade focus is shifting towards Latin America and Asia.

Vietnam to Begin Fresh Passion Fruit Exports to the U.S. Next Year

Vietnam is set to begin exporting fresh passion fruit to the United States next year, as plant quarantine negotiations are nearly complete. The technical talks were finalized in August, and legal procedures are now in progress for official exports. The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association estimates that fresh passion fruit could generate $50 to $100 million annually.

Currently, Vietnam exports eight types of fruit to the U.S., including pitaya, mango, and lychee. On August 8, Vietnam also secured a deal to export passion fruit to Australia.

With 9,500 hectares of passion fruit plantations, mainly in the Central Highlands, Vietnam produces over 100,000 tons of passion fruit annually, making it one of the country’s key fruit crops.

Chile’s Cherry Exports Surge to Record High, U.S. Imports to Rise

Chile’s cherry production is forecast to reach a record 124 million 5-kilogram boxes this season, with the U.S. receiving about five million boxes—less than 5% of Chile’s total exports. China remains the dominant market, importing over 90% of Chile’s cherries.

By week 49, global cherry exports had exceeded 166 million kilograms, marking a 200% increase compared to last year. The industry’s growth has been driven by an increase in Chilean acreage, which reached nearly 64,000 hectares in MY 2023/24 and is expected to expand further in MY 2024/25.

U.S. retailers are preparing for higher imports, with proactive marketing strategies and earlier ocean freight shipments to reduce costs. Despite potential disruptions from a U.S. port strike, bulk vessel shipments should minimize delays.

Spain Appeals to EU to Tighten Import Controls on South African Citrus

In November, the European Commission’s Europhyt platform reported three additional cases of citrus black spot (Phyllosticta citricarpa) in citrus shipments from South Africa, bringing the total to 31 interceptions of this serious disease in 2024. Spain’s Valencian Association of Farmers (AVA-ASAJA) criticized South Africa’s failure to ensure the phytosanitary safety of its exports and called on the European Commission to tighten controls on foreign imports to protect European agriculture from new pests and diseases. The association urged Brussels to re-establish a maximum threshold for disease interceptions, with borders closed once this threshold is reached.

Brazilian Bananas and Nuts Gains Access to the EAEU

The Brazilian government has secured authorization for the export of bananas and nuts to several countries in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. This new development expands Brazil’s agricultural market access, adding to the 221 market openings and 299 new business opportunities since the beginning of 2023.

In 2024, Brazil exported over $1.3 billion worth of agricultural products to the EAEU. These achievements are the result of collaborative efforts between Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE).

Exhibition Information

The 18th Asia Fruit Logistica will be held at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong from September 3 to 5, 2025. Covering the global value chain of fresh fruit and vegetable products related industries and their service support companies, as well as innovative products and concepts. Providing an excellent communication platform for exhibitors. Exhibitor registration is now open.

Summit Information

The Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit will return to Chicago on May 15-16, 2025, where attendees will come together to explore new business models and technologies driving profitability in CEA. Check out the details here.

Published On: December 31st, 2024Categories: Industry News