SOURCE: CRISTIAN ACOSTA ARGOTE, La Republica
TRANSLATION: Freshplaza
The Super Bowl, the most important sporting event in the United States, will be held on February 11, and Hass avocados play a prominent role in this event. The Corporation of Producers and Exporters of Hass Avocado of Colombia (Corpohass) estimates that from January 22 to February 18, a week after the Super Bowl, Colombia will export a total of 1,496 tons of avocado.
Avocado exports to the US in the weeks before, of, and after the sporting event increase. According to estimates, between January 22 and February 4, Colombia exported 946 tons of Hass avocado in 45 containers, i.e. 105% more over the same period of the previous year.
In the week of the event, from February 5 to 11, Colombia will ship approximately 13 containers with 286 tons of Hass avocado to the United States. Finally, from February 12 to 18, seven days after the Super Bowl, the country will ship 264 tons in 12 containers, i.e. 20% more than last year. In total, in the week before, of, and after the Super Bowl, Colombia will export 70 containers, reflecting a 56% increase in volume compared to the previous year.
The United States is the world’s main market for this product, stated Katheryn Mejía Vergel, executive director of Corpohass. “That’s why we take advantage of events like the Super Bowl to promote our fruit. The Hass Origen Colombia is a symbol of sustainability. Each fruit represents the effort and well-being of thousands of families that make up the value chain of this sector; how they promote good agricultural practices and how the sector contributes to the protection of the environment and development of Colombia.”
Corpohass stressed that Mexico is an important supplier of avocados to the United States but that, as a result of high demand, Colombia has gained visibility at sporting events like this one.
In 2023, the Hass avocado industry exported a record 5,125 forty-foot containers of avocado, i.e. 26.4% more than in 2022. This is a milestone in the country’s economy and sustainability. Corpohass projects a 20% growth in exports for this year, with 3,615 registered properties and 33,500 hectares devoted to the cultivation of Hass avocado in Colombia. Katheryn Mejía stressed that the sector contributes to improving the quality of life of producers and collaborators linked to exports.