US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 10% tariff on Colombian products has raised concerns in the agricultural sector and sparked expectations about the impact on various sectors, including avocado producers. The Hass avocado industry is particularly affected.
Mexico Exempt from Tariffs
Unlike Colombia and other avocado exporters, México was exempt from the 10% tariff. This puts Colombian growers at a disadvantage as their product will become more expensive and less competitive in the US market.
Impact on Competitiveness
Katheryn Mejía Vergel, Corpohass’s CEO, highlighted that this decision directly impacts Colombia’s competitiveness against its main rival, México. The latter supplies 79.7% of avocados consumed in the US.
Strategies to Mitigate Impact
The industry is now evaluating strategies to minimize the impact and maintain its presence in the US market, which accounts for 50% of Colombia’s avocado exports. The US market is crucial due to growing challenges in Europe.
Economic Significance
The industry supports approximately 79,000 formal jobs and over 240,000 people across 250 municipalities in 17 departments. For instance, during the recent Super Bowl week, Colombia exported 6,500 tons of avocados to the US market alone.
Market Dynamics
Avocado Hass is one of the most profitable products in Colombia’s agricultural sector. In 2024, exports surpassed $300 million, with a 54.3% increase compared to 2023.
Expert Opinion
Experts suggest that even if tariffs were applied to México, US companies would continue importing from México due to its role in meeting annual demand and consumer preferences for avocados.
