The Cauca Valley, long known as an agricultural pillar in Colombia, is home to a green gem that deserves special recognition: the avocado. With more than 13,000 hectares dedicated to its cultivation, this region has experienced significant growth in the avocado industry in the last decade.
With a 28.4% increase in production, reaching 125,435 tons in 2022, and a 14.4% expansion in cultivation areas, Valle del Cauca is consolidating itself as one of the main producers of avocados in Colombia.
It is time to take advantage of this natural treasure and turn it into the engine of an economic future for our region.
Municipalities such as La Unión, El Cerrito, Florida and Seville are known for their extensive fields of Hass avocados, while others, such as Candelaria, Buga and Bolívar, are noted for their production of Lorena avocados.
These municipalities, along with many others, constitute the heart of the avocado industry in Valle del Cauca and are the foundation on which we can build a vibrant and successful Avocado Hub.
Why an Avocado Hub? The answer is simple: avocado is not only a delicious and healthy fruit, but it also offers a wide range of economic and business opportunities.
In addition to fresh avocado, we can take advantage of its derivatives to create a variety of products, from the popular guacamole, avocado butter, macrosnacks, skin care products and cosmetics, to valuable avocado oil. These products would not only diversify our agricultural offering, but would also add value and employment to our local economy. In addition to the economic benefits, the creation of an Avocado Hub would allow us to move towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
We could also establish training programs for farmers, promoting more efficient practices. In this way, we would not only be boosting our competitiveness, but also taking care of our environment for future generations.
It is time for us to come together as a community, government and private sector to make this vision a reality. Investments in Ag Tech, Food Tech and infrastructure are required, as well as support for local farmers and promotion of our products in the national and international market.
With the right support, Valle del Cauca could become a center of excellence in the avocado industry, not only in Colombia, but throughout the world!
