Avocado cultivation in India is experiencing a significant boom, driven by rapidly growing domestic demand and a strategic shift by farmers to capitalize on the fruit's increasing popularity. Previously considered an almost insignificant crop, local growers are now enhancing production to meet a substantial gap between supply and demand.
Fifteen years ago, avocados were largely unrecognized in India, with ripe fruit often falling from trees and being consumed by animals, earning them the moniker "dog fruit." Sunil Bopaiah, group manager at Cottanad Plantations in Kerala, recalled that avocados were initially introduced as shade trees for coffee plantations. It was only later that their commercial potential became apparent.
The turning point for the avocado market in India arrived around 2011, following a public endorsement by Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, who reportedly used the fruit for skincare. This publicity is credited with doubling avocado prices almost overnight, spurring greater interest among growers.
Cottanad Plantations, which cultivates a variety of crops including cocoa, rubber, coffee, spices, and fruits, has responded to this increased demand by dedicating 40 acres to avocado cultivation. The plantation expects to increase its harvest from 10-15 tonnes last year to 40-50 tonnes within the next three to four years. To optimize production, the company has adopted advanced farming techniques, learning from South African experts. These methods include utilizing raised beds, wider spacing, and modified planting techniques to mitigate the risk of diseases affecting avocado roots, which are known to be highly susceptible.
Experts see considerable opportunity for Indian farmers to expand their avocado production. Manilal Palliyath, who is involved in promoting India's avocado industry, highlighted a significant disparity between the market's needs and current output. India imports approximately 15,000 tonnes of avocados annually, while domestic production stands at only about 8,000 to 9,000 tonnes.
This growing avocado market offers a crucial avenue for diversification for farmers whose traditional crops have been impacted by changing climatic conditions. Crops like coffee and pepper have faced challenges due to weather pattern shifts, making the cultivation of more resilient and profitable options like avocados increasingly essential for agricultural sustainability in the region.