Fifteen producers participated in the National Avocado Fair in the canton of Ibarra, in the province of Imbabura, a place of direct marketing between producers and consumers. In addition, various actors of the avocado agro-production chain met in this area to generate investment alternatives, framed by the Hand in Hand initiative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Ministry of Agriculture reported. and animal husbandry (MAG).

However, avocados are not the only product that is part of this initiative that aims for direct marketing between producers and consumers. MAG and Hand in Hand, for these commercial spaces, prioritized five other value chains for their potential for sustainable production development, market opportunities and impact on job creation and poverty reduction income.

Ecuadorian avocados can now enter the United States

The selected chains are cocoa, dragon fruit, coffee, banana and soursop. These fairs were held at the national level through the Extensive Project of Agricultural Product Diversification and Agricultural Repurposing (Pidara).

In the meantime, the fairs planned for September ended with the avocado fair on Ibar. MAG indicated that investment notes were generated during these events and will be presented at the FAO Hand in Hand Extended Forum, which will be held in Rome next October.

Alexandra Guevara, MAG district director in Imbabura, pointed out that avocado production stands out in the province and that it is a big production and export opportunity.

He added that avocados in Imbabura are produced all year round. “That is our competitive advantage in the markets. Joint inter-institutional work between MAG, FAO and other international organizations, and above all the producers, will make this production chain take off,” Guevara emphasized.

More than 7,000 hectares of avocados are planted in the country; More than 42,000 tons are produced and more than 14,400 people are employed. In the first quarter of this year, 325 tons were exported. In Imbabura, it is estimated to have 1200 hectares.

Ecuador exported more than 600 tons of avocados in 2021

Finally, for the participatory preparation of Investment Notes, in terms of determining investment priorities and opportunities, providing feedback on initial proposals and proposing possible new opportunities that serve as input for later detailed formulation, it is necessary to hold sectoral forums. planned, one for each chain, in central areas for them, with the participation of relevant direct and indirect actors.