RIVERSIDE, CA - With summer in full swing, avocado demand has picked up—consumers are downright clamoring for their favorite guac ingredient. Index Fresh is ready to satisfy that need with the upcoming Peruvian avocado season. Peak volumes will hit in July and August, but the season will run from the end of May to early September.

“Index Fresh has been working in Peru even before they had access to the U.S. market, and Peruvian fruit has played a key role in our summer marketing since the beginning. We’re excited for this season, and it looks like it’ll be a good summer for all growers from all countries,” said Giovanni Cavaletto, Vice President of Sourcing. “This is the tenth year of Index Fresh working with Peruvian avocados.”

As the significance of avocados in Peru steadily grows, it is projected that over the next five years of production, it will be close to a billion pounds, according to a press release, making them an important source of summer fruit.

“There will be a little less Peruvian volume than last year in the U.S. market because it’s a slightly off year for the country, as last year was an on year for growing,” Cavaletto said. “While working with Peru growers, Index Fresh puts focus on offering value-added programs including ripening, bagging, and RPC’s.”

The popularity of avocados is showing no sign of slowing down, making it essential that there are multiple growing regions ready to supply the summer staple.

“Peru is shipping out 165 million pounds [of avocado] to the US, that’s 20-25 percent of their crop. Europe remains their prime destination for avocados,” said Cavaletto. “On an annual basis, Peru represents around 8 percent of the avocados sold in the U.S. During peak Peru season, that number goes up to 25 percent making them an important supplier June-August."

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