For the past five years, Colombia has been shipping avocados to the U.S. while experiencing growth in import figures, says ProColombia, a promotional agency for the country.
The country's reputation for year-round availability and quality has piqued the interest of competitors and buyers, making Colombia a "rising star in the global market," according to a news release from ProColombia, adding that massive events such as the Super Bowl help fuel demand for avocados. This year alone approximately 1,496 tons of Colombian avocados were shipped to the U.S., specifically to meet the cravings of football fans, the release said.
"With a 12% increase in exports compared to 2022 and a promising trajectory ahead, Colombia, renowned as The Country of Beauty, is primed to leverage the competitive edge of avocados," Carmen Caballero, president of ProColombia, said the release. "This commodity drives our agro-industrial exports and quality employment. At ProColombia, we have been and will continue to spearhead the access and promotion of Colombian avocados to the United States."
But avocados wren't the country's only offering for a culinary journey this past weekend, ProColombia said, adding that Colombian gastronomy added flair to big game celebrations, from arepas, plantain and cassava chips, to exotic fruit cocktails.
"Colombia's produce is more than just a game-changer; it's a game-saver. With sustainability as its trademark, Colombian avocados bring quality, fairness, and prosperity to both, families and territories," Luis Gilberto Murillo, Colombian ambassador to the U.S., said in the elease.
