The earliest harvest of new-crop avocados from the Mexican state of Jalisco have begun. With over 25% of global production, Mexico is not only the largest avocado growing country in the world, but also the one with the greatest ability to provide high quality fruit year-round. Lower-altitude ‘Mendez’ orchards in Jalisco helps Mexico’s year-round availability by supplying early fruit during the traditional old-crop/flor loca transition. During the 2024/2025 season Jalisco avocados accounted for about 15% of Mexico’s exports. 

All of our orchards are Rainforest Alliance and Global GAP certified said Saul Medina Tejeda. Jalisco has about 95,000 acres of ‘Hass’ and ‘Mendez’ avocados, of which about 60% is certified for the US market. This leaves about 30,000 acres of fruit that must go to other destinations such as Asia, Canada, Europe, and the Mexican domestic market. 

Weekly new-crop shipments will increase through June and July for Canada and Asia. Harvesting for the US market requires that dry-matter field tests pass at 24% or greater, delaying entry to the US by a few weeks vs. other destinations. We believe that shipments for the states could begin in early-to-mid June depending on when the rainy season begins. Over the course of the summer, Mexico’s share of the US market should increase from today’s 60% to over 85% in September.