Strong demand for avocados has made for a short market for the fruit in Europe. With Israel, Chile and Spain finishing up their respective seasons, supplies from South Africa and Peru haven't been enough to satisfy current demand.
“Demand is growing between 20 and 25 percent every year,” said Eitan Zvi of Galil Export. “The demand is increasing, but the supply isn't increasing enough to keep up.” Production of Hass and Pinkerton avocados, which are the most popular black and green-skinned varieties, respectively, has to improve in the coming years or prices will continue to be high – especially when supplies transition from one country to another.
“Spain and Israel have seen an increase in planting, but not in export as a result of weather issues,” explained Eitan. “In Israel, we are looking at something more like a 10 percent increase over the next several years.”
