Formulation of a Commercial Quality Index for Avocado Produced in an Inter-Andean Valley

Abstract

This study aimed to formulate a commercial quality index (CQI) for avocados (Persea americana Mill) produced in an inter-Andean valley in southern Peru. Thirty-eight commercial quality parameters of Hass and Fuerte avocados were evaluated under the marketing and export protocols approved in the Codex Alimentarius CXS 197-1995 issued by FAO and the Peruvian technical standard NTP 011.018. The index was formulated using information gathered from 44 experts in the Apurimac region. To weight the commercial quality parameters, the Delphi method was used, with the cooperation of expert producers and marketers, from which a weighted equation was formulated for the commercial quality index of Hass (CQIh) and Fuerte (CQIf) avocados. Fifteen parameters of interest were found for the formulation of the quality indexes for both varieties, which reported more than 50% coincidence among experts, based on physical and sensory evaluation. The CQI proposal would be a tool to help improve the quality attributes of avocado growers.