Avocado has been one of the most popular ingredients of healthy dishes for several years.  This makes sense because of the characteristics of the different types of avocados.  They are high in good fats, low in carbohydrates and high in fiber.

As a result, the high demand for this fruit has encouraged farmers to plant more acreage with avocados. IBGE data shows that in 2022, 338,238 tons were produced in a harvested area of 19,415 hectares.

Given this representation, Agrishow Digital invited Denis De Lima, Avocado Consultant and member of the Avocado Association of Brazil, to talk about the avocado plantation in general, with its characteristics and cultivation tips.

What is avocado?

Native to Central American countries, the Avocado (Persea Americana) is a green and creamy pulp fruit that is also a good source of energy for the body.  

Denis De Lima explains that it is a fruit that has been widely consumed by people who value a healthy diet, especially for its many nutritional properties.

“Avocado contains potassium, vitamins A and C, and folic acid, in addition to helping to lower bad cholesterol, which contributes to heart health”, he says.

Because of these characteristics, it is a fruit that can be consumed in different types of dishes, from salads, sandwiches, guacamole and smoothies to the most varied desserts.

It is worth noting that the demand for healthy and versatile products makes the profitability of the avocado plantation more attractive to producers, encouraging a greater volume of investment in the sector.

Main types of avocados produced and consumed in Brazil

There are about 500 varieties of avocados in the world, varying in shape, size, color and texture. 

In Brazil, the Consultant affiliated with the Avocados Association of Brazil points out that the most produced varieties are:  Avocado (Hass), Breda, Fortuna, Geada, Margarida, Ouro Verde and Quintal.

Each variety has the following characteristics:

1 – Avocado (Hass)

Originally from Mexico, the avocado is known for its dark green peel and firm texture.  Harvested from February to September, the fruit weighs between 200 and 1 kilogram.

2 – Breda

Breda avocado is characterized by its yellowish flesh and sweet taste and is usually eaten raw.  The fruit has a dark green peel and creamy pulp and weighs between 400 and 600 grams.  It is harvested from July to September.

3 – Fortuna

With a creamy and smooth pulp, the Fortuna avocado has a pale yellow color with a thin, glossy, dark green peel.  With a relatively small seed, this variety offers more pulp to enjoy.  Its harvest is from February to July.

4 – Geada

A Brazilian variety, the Geada avocado is adapted to subtropical climates with colder temperatures, such as mountainous regions. 

The fruit has a thin, smooth, bright green peel when ripe.  Its pulp is creamy of light green color, with a mild and slightly oily flavor.  With good resistance to diseases and pests, it is harvested in summer.

5 – Margarida

The Margarida variety is one of the largest avocado varieties, reaching up to 1.5 kilograms.  It originates from Brazil and is cultivated between May and December, in addition to being resistant to pests and diseases. 

The fruit has a small pit, a thin, smooth and green peel with yellow and creamy flesh, with a mild and sweet taste. 

6 – Ouro Verde

A Brazilian variety, the Ouro Verde avocado is grown mainly in the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Goiás, from July to August.  It is a medium to large sized fruit, with light green and creamy flesh, mild flavor and soft texture. 

This variety is known for its high productivity and resistance to diseases.

7 – Quintal

This is a Brazilian variety grown from March to July, especially in regions with a hot climate, such as in the state of São Paulo. 

The fruits are often large and heavy.  When unripe, they have a rough, rough, dark green peel and when ripe, they are lighter.  The pulp is light green, with a soft and creamy texture.

Challenges for Avocado Cultivation in Brazil

According to material published by Cepea, in Brazil avocado production has been growing strongly in recent years, leading the country to occupy the seventh place in the world ranking.

The states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Ceará and Espírito Santo are the ones that produce the most fruit, with expansion to other regions that benefit from the off-season moments of the main Brazilian producers.

However, according to Denis De Lima, all regions of the country still face some major challenges.  But there are also some opportunities that stand out.

“I believe that the lack of standardization in terms of post-harvest fruit quality is the biggest challenge we face in this segment,” he says.

Other major challenges highlighted by the consultant relate to storage and logistics, which are still inadequate and result in losses during the production and distribution process.

On the other hand, the opportunities refer to the broad market in which the avocado can be inserted, benefiting production.  “Due to its many health benefits and its wide use in cooking, as well as in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, the demand for the fruit has been growing year after year.”

Despite the challenges and opportunities, the size of this market is expected to grow significantly over the next 5 years.  “The trends highlight that the segment should go from $20.74 billion in 2023 to R$32.50 billion in 2028.

But after all, how to produce avocados?

The avocado tree is a fruit native to Subtropical climates, but it manages to develop well in the variations of climates and altitudes in Brazil.  That is, depending on the variety grown, an orchard between eight and ten years old can produce from 200 to 600 kg per plant per year. 

However, for the orchard to have a good production and bring financial returns, it is ideal that the managements are performed correctly and periodically, always seeking to maximize production.

To this end, the avocado consultant highlights some important recommendations:

Soil: the avocado tree prefers well-drained soils, rich in organic matter and with a pH between 6 and 7;

Choice of seedling:  Check that the roots are well developed, with no signs of disease or damage.  In addition, the seedlings should be about 30cm high, with good bellows and a straight stem.

Planting:  The pits must be 60×60 cm, in addition to a good liming and a good foundation (according to soil analyzes) are of vital importance at this time, in addition to the use of organic matter.  “It is essential to protect the seedlings from winds, frosts and hot regions”, adds the consultant.

Plant management:  For good management of the avocado tree, good irrigation is necessary, as the plant requires a soil moisture of 80%.

Pruning is important for good direction, formation and architecture of the plant, promoting ease in harvesting fruit.

Pest and disease monitoring is also very important to establish preventive and efficient control strategies for good orchard management.

The fruit harvest is defined by the dry matter content of the fruit.  “A DM content of 23% is ideal for harvesting,” recommends Denis De Lima.

Finally, the entire technological contribution is helping to increase the productivity of the various avocado varieties. 

These technologies include precision agriculture, logistics and traceability, cloned seedlings, and genetic research and plant breeding.

“These solutions allow for productivity gains, as well as the creation of varieties that are more resistant to pests and diseases, more productive and adaptable to different climatic conditions”, concludes the consultant.