Local avocado prices to soar, as supplies go to Japan

Expect prices of local avocados to soar higher.

With Japan  set to import big volumes of this highly-nutricious and medicinal fruit, dometic prices of avocados are expected to increase even more.  

The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), said Manila wants to increase Haas avocado shipments to 484,000 kilos, or 484 metric tons, worth $1.584 million in 2025.

BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said the inclusion of Hass avocados in the Philippine export portfolio to Japan was the culmination of over decade-long efforts, with initial access requests dating back to 2011, Business Mirror reported.

“Securing access to Japan’s highly competitive market for Hass avocados is a significant step forward in our trade relations with Japan,” he said.

The Philippines recently delivered its first shipment of 2,240 boxes of Hass avocados equivalent to 12,320 kilos worth $40,320. 

“(The( target next year is to ship 88,000 boxes equivalent to 484,000 kilograms of Hass avocados amounting to $1.584 million.”

Japan is a major buyer of Philippine agricultural products. 

Last year, Japan’s purchases of local agri-fisheries products reached $1.1 billion, allowing the Philippines to enjoy a trade surplus of $990 million.

Tokyo-based Agriculture Attaché Aleli Maghirang, said the Philippines is the first country in Asia to export Hass avocados to Japan. 

“This provides local producers with an excellent opportunity to capitalize on Japan’s growing demand for fresh fruits.”

Japan is a major importer of Hass avocados, with imports valued at $160 million or equivalent to 61,000 metric tons (MT) in 2023.  Key suppliers include Mexico, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

The agency said the Hass variety, favored for its smaller size and pebbly skin that turns purplish-black when ripe, is particularly well-suited to Japanese preferences.

“Gaining entry into Japan’s discerning market is anticipated to pave the way for Philippine-grown Hass avocados to access other international markets. The successful entry of Hass avocados underscores the potential for further expansion of Philippine agricultural product exports.”

With increasing demand for Philippine fruits in Japan and globally, the DA said the Philippines is well-positioned to strengthen its presence in the Japanese market and expand its agricultural exports worldwide. 

“This is a testament to the Philippines’ dedication to expanding its agricultural exports and the high quality of our farm produce,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said as he expressed optimism that this access by Japan will lead to opportunities in other international markets for locally-grown Hass avocados.

Similarly, the Daily Tribune said the global market for Hass avocados is projected to reach $18 billion by next year.

Laurel also commended the collaborative efforts of the BPI, the Office of the Agriculture Attaché in Tokyo, and Dole Stanfilco in achieving what he described as an international trade milestone.

The development comes at a time when Philippine agricultural exports to Japan are experiencing an upward trend. In 2023, the Philippines exported US$1.1 billion worth of agri-fisheries products to Japan, generating a trade surplus of US$990 million.

The addition of Hass avocados further solidifies the Philippines’ position as a key supplier of high-quality fruits to Japan, a market renowned for its discerning consumers.