KALPETTA: The Wayanad Hills Farmer Producer Company Limited (WHFPCL) is set to introduce a range of value-added avocado products — including cookies, cupcakes, avocado oil, vegetable butter and dried avocado powder — to help farmers overcome the sharp decline in avocado prices.
The first batch of avocado cookies and cupcakes was unveiled at the Avocado Fest held in Ambalavayal in collaboration with the Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD), Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) and the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS).
WHFPCL officials said the company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernisation (KERA), a flagship project of the Kerala government, to manufacture a range of processed avocado products including avocado oil, vegetable butter and avocado powder, besides other value-added items.
“This is a great opportunity for avocado farmers in Wayanad who are struggling with falling prices. Once these value-added products are launched on a commercial scale, farmers will be able to earn better returns even from the produce of a single tree,” WHFPCL chairman Sunil Kumar M R told TNIE.
The Avocado Fest held on July 31 and August 1 also witnessed strong participation from startups, research institutions and agro-based organisations, showcasing innovations in avocado processing and marketing.
“We are encouraged by the response to this year’s Avocado Fest. Several startups have come forward with proposals for avocado-based coffee and technologies to extend the shelf life of the fruit.
We have already conducted successful experiments on value-added products with CFTRI, Karnataka. CFTRI has extended full support to this project and participated actively in the festival,” fest coordinator and former CFTRI chief scientist P Mani Lal said.
As recently as 2024, premium-quality avocados fetched up to `340 per kg, with around 2,000 tonnes exported annually. Encouraged by high returns, farmers expanded cultivation across Wayanad, while Ambalavayal branded itself as “Avocado City” through a festival celebrating the fruit.
However, increased production led to a sharp fall in prices, with avocados now selling for as low as `60 to `70 per kg in some markets. The price crash forced growers to explore alternative marketing strategies through value addition.
After nearly a year of research and product development, WHFPCL has brought its processed avocado products to the market. The full range is expected to be commercially launched within the next two months. Initially, the products will be sold in local markets before being expanded to major metropolitan cities across the country.