Percent of dry matter is highly correlated with oil content and is used as a maturity index in California and most other avocado production areas; minimum dry matter required ranges from 19 to 25%, depending on cultivar (19.0% for 'Fuerte', 20.8% for 'Hass', and 24.2% for 'Gwen').

Florida-grown avocado cultivars have lower oil content and are harvested on the basis of a calendar date (days after full bloom).