California Avocado Commission Nets Record-breaking Shipments
IRVINE, Calif. -- The California Avocado Commission (CAC) here reported record levels of avocado shipments in May, with Cinco de Mayo and Memorial Day at all-time highs. The record-breaking trend continued into June, with the second week of June recording an all-time high one-week tally of avocado shipments of just over 22 million pounds, said CAC officials.
This year's avocado sales in support of Cinco de Mayo were 52.6 million pounds, an 18 percent increase over the same period last year. This year marks the first time since 2002 that Cinco de Mayo out paced avocado consumption for the NFL's "Big Game." Memorial Day also showed a significant boost in shipments with 18 million pounds compared to 11.4 million for the same period in 2005.
"Avocado consumption continues to increase with consistent supply and strategic retail and foodservice promotions," said Jan DeLyser, CAC's v.p. of marketing. "More avocados are being consumed in more ways than ever before. Usage continues to rise in core avocado markets and we are also seeing increased awareness and usage of avocados in new demand markets such as Chicago and Baltimore."
This weekend's 4th of July holiday is anticipated to continue the trend with projected shipments in support of feature ad activity at 45.4 million pounds, an estimated 50 percent increase over last year's 30.1 million pounds.
California's avocado crop estimated at 555 million pounds is significantly larger than last year's which came in at 300 million pounds. This year's brisk volume kicked off with 49 million pounds shipped in support of the NFL's "Big Game" promotions, an 8 percent increase over last year.
"We are thrilled with the ongoing increases in demand for avocados," said DeLyser. "Every occasion that brings people together is an opportunity for the consumption of avocados."
This year's avocado sales in support of Cinco de Mayo were 52.6 million pounds, an 18 percent increase over the same period last year. This year marks the first time since 2002 that Cinco de Mayo out paced avocado consumption for the NFL's "Big Game." Memorial Day also showed a significant boost in shipments with 18 million pounds compared to 11.4 million for the same period in 2005.
"Avocado consumption continues to increase with consistent supply and strategic retail and foodservice promotions," said Jan DeLyser, CAC's v.p. of marketing. "More avocados are being consumed in more ways than ever before. Usage continues to rise in core avocado markets and we are also seeing increased awareness and usage of avocados in new demand markets such as Chicago and Baltimore."
This weekend's 4th of July holiday is anticipated to continue the trend with projected shipments in support of feature ad activity at 45.4 million pounds, an estimated 50 percent increase over last year's 30.1 million pounds.
California's avocado crop estimated at 555 million pounds is significantly larger than last year's which came in at 300 million pounds. This year's brisk volume kicked off with 49 million pounds shipped in support of the NFL's "Big Game" promotions, an 8 percent increase over last year.
"We are thrilled with the ongoing increases in demand for avocados," said DeLyser. "Every occasion that brings people together is an opportunity for the consumption of avocados."