Confidence high in avocado industry

The New Zealand avocado industry is in “an inspiring position” and its future is bright, says Ashby Whitehead, chair of New Zealand Avocado Growers Association and the Avocado Industry Council.


Future’s bright – Ashby Whitehead chair of New Zealand Avocado Growers Association and the Avocado Industry Council.

Willing exporters
“Following the issues in the Australian market that season, growers urged exporters to work more collaboratively with the industry as a whole and exporters were more than willing to do so. NZ Avocado supported the initiatives to improve communication and planning, both in the export and the NZ market.

“The growers are seeing the benefits of the industry working more cohesively through better than expected returns for the record volume sold last season. There is also focused development by NZ Avocado and exporters of new markets outside of Australia.”

Increased production should not be a problem as Ashby says there is growing demand worldwide for avocados.

“Figures we have seen presented at overseas forums suggest that global consumption is increasing by 10 per cent each year whereas production is growing by three per cent.  There is some further capacity in Australia and our other Asian markets, and the huge potential in India and China are yet to be seen.”

Go-Global
Last year the Avocado Industry Council joined the Ministry for Primary Industries in a new five-year Primary Growth Partnership programme called Go Global, to increase the productivity and capability within the avocado industry aimed to deliver significant additional returns for New Zealand. The industry has just completed its first year with PGP and is on track to meet its goals.

“PGP investment into our industry has given the confidence and opportunity to recognise the significant value we could return to the New Zealand economy, if we collectively drive our growth strategy,” says Ashby.

“It has provided resource to lift the industry to another level in the areas of research and development, supply chain, local market, marketing support and market access. PGP has been the catalyst that is bringing everyone together to move forward in the same direction having the same vision with real deliverables.

“It also engages us with much bigger sectors which also have PGP programmes, allowing us to share their learnings and expertise.”

Greater fruit volumes will be welcomed by the post-harvest sector, as the avocado industry provides continuity of employment for pack houses in the kiwifruit off-season.

“However, greater economies of scale need to be realised in order to increase supply chain efficiency.

“Part of the PGP focus is improving the supply chain which will help address some efficiency hurdles. It should be noted that the highest crop ever, 7.1 million trays, posed no significant issues for harvesting or packing avocados.”

The avocado industry is growing, but there will always be a place for smaller orchards, says Ashby. “We are sharing successful orchardists’ tools with the wider avocado growing community, this in turn helps other growers lift their performance including the smaller orchardist, who will always have a role to play.”


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