How the Four Mexican Avocado Seasons Impact Your Business

There are billions of pounds of avocado consumed in the US each year, and, chances are, whether you’re a produce buyer, seller, or average-Joe consumer, you fall into this number.

The chances are even higher, however, that these avocados came from Michoacán, Mexico. In fact, according to a USDA report, roughly 73% of avocados in the US came from this region in 2023.

But what makes this region so special for avocados? Well, the conditions in Michoacán are the holy trinity for avocado growing – it has volcanic soil, natural irrigation, and most important of all, a unique topography that features four elevations. Thanks to these different elevations, avocados are available 365 days a year. Without them, we’d be reliant on one singular bloom rather than four different blooms that allow for year-round harvesting.

As a produce manager, it’s important to know how these four different blooms, or ‘seasons,’ impact the avocado market, and in turn, your business.

THE BASICS

First, you should know the basics, and trust me they aren’t too complicated.

The first thing you need to know – Michoacán is the only place in the world where avocados bloom 365 days a year. The blooms rhythmically cycle through each elevation, beginning at the highest elevation, and ending at the lowest before transitioning back to the highest again. Each of these seasons have their own unique name, and due to the microclimates of each elevation, feature slightly different avocados.

See? Not too overly complicated. Four blooms = four seasons and avocados from each of these seasons vary slightly.

To understand how this affects your bottom line, it’s best to get to know the avos of each season:

FLORA LOCA

The Flora Loca season is the first bloom of the year. Despite it being the first bloom, it doesn’t start on January 1. The season typically occurs throughout the summer from June to September.

Unfortunately, the Flora Loca crop is one of the most pesky seasons for avocados. The fruit from this crop typically has a lower oil content, making the avocados notoriously difficult to ripen through non-professional methods. The lower oil content also prolongs the ripening process, often taking avocados two to three times longer to ripen.

This, coupled with the fact that the Flora Loca season tends to produce smaller fruit, puts a lot of pressure on the supply chain. The market often reaches its peak during this season.

Suggested Reading: Flora loca avoacdos challenges ripeners

AVENTAJADA

Thankfully, there’s usually a seamless transition from the Flora Loca crop to the Aventajada season that allows the market to ease. This is the shortest bloom that often lasts from September to November. Avocados from this crop are pear-shaped with a higher oil content than Flora Loca.

NORMAL

The Normal Bloom is the longest season that spans over a six-month period. It overlaps with the Aventajada crop to last from September through February. This season produces the most avocados and is the most abundant out of the four. It’s likely that when you think avocado, fruit from this crop pops into your mind.

MARZENA

This is the last season for hass avocados. It lasts from March to June and often overlaps with the start of the Flora Loca season. Avocados from this season are the exact opposite of Flora Loca avocados – they have a higher oil content and are quick to ripen.

What does this mean for you?

The four different blooms call for adapting avocado strategies throughout the year. Consider:

• Contacting a Professional Ripener: The key to success is a perfectly ripe avocado. There are professional ripeners who will ripen to the exact pound of pressure you need for your business regardless of the avocado season.
• Adapting Your Order: There may be times that the best course of action is splitting your order into smaller loads. You’ll still get the same amount of avocado but likely see better quality during certain seasons.
• Flexibility: The different avocado seasons do not abide by demand, weather, and other factors that influence the supply chain. There may be times where supplies lean towards one sizing than another. Flexibility is always highly recommended to get the most out of avocado needs.

Avocados can be a successful part of your business year-round, but to capitalize on those billions of pounds consumed each year, you MUST be on top of your avocado game and that starts with knowing the avocado you have in front of you.