(Bloomberg) -- Americans gearing up for the Super Bowl this Sunday helped push imports of Mexican avocados to the best week of all time.
Almost 75 million pounds crossed the border from the world’s largest avocado exporting country in the week through Jan. 19, according to the Haas Avocado Board. That’s up 3% from the same period in 2019.
The industry is making a concerted push to capitalize on the peak avocado consumption day in the U.S., when consumers across the country buy guacamole in preparation for game day. In 2018, Mexico exported 2.5 billion pounds of avocados to the U.S.
“We expect to see volumes continue to trend upward,” said Alvaro Luque, the president and chief executive officer of industry association Avocados From Mexico. “Even at full production levels, the U.S. cannot fully supply the demand, creating a complimentary relationship between U.S. and Mexican avocado farmers.”
Luque added that retailers across the country are promoting avocados heavily during the leadup to the Super Bowl, and that his organization has partnered with hot sauce maker Cholula and beer brand Bud Light for a promotional campaign.
