Since the country stopped the imports of mexican avocados because of the alleged presence of the sunblotch plague, the price of this fruit in the local market has kept on rising. Although avocados are now imported from seven different countries, total imports have fallen 25% since then, and the average price has recorded since then an annual increase of 18%.

Nacion.com reports that "...The average wholesale value of a box of 10 kilos was ¢21,521 last year, compared to the average value of ¢18,604 in 2015.  In addition, the variation in the consumer price index (CPI) of this fruit indicates that, despite presenting fluctuations, the behavior is above the levels seen prior to entry of avocados from Mexico being blocked. 

"...The presence of foreign avocados fell from 11,651 tons in 2014 to 8,721 metric tons in 2016."

"... However Randall Benavides, president of the Chamber of Exporters and Importers of Perishables said domestic producers now have competition in avocados from seven origins, whereas previously it was only three. In the market there are now Hass avocados from Peru, Chile, Colombia and the United States, and there are Creole varieties from Nicaragua, Honduras and Panama, according to the Chamber."

Source: Nacion.com

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