After having received avocados from South America of more challenging quality, Seeka CEO Michael Franks states that New Zealand avocados are ready to jump in. Franks is pleased with the fruit quality of their avocados this year:
“The avocado season for New Zealand fruit has a challenging outlook this year, with an abundant supply in Australia likely to deliver challenging prices in that market. The fruit quality looks excellent across Australia and New Zealand and the marketers have turned their attention to the Asian markets. These markets have recently experienced challenging quality from South American suppliers, delivering low returns and a lot of headaches. As a result, there has been a good increase in demand for quality fruit, something which Seeka prides itself on.”
Franks is expecting better export numbers this year compared to the previous avocado season. “Actually, the previous harvest was challenging, typified with low export packout percentages. This has been corrected in the harvest of 2023 and packout percentages are better. This means that New Zealand exporters can commit to quality programs.”
On the Asia Fruit Logistica floor, there have been talks of India becoming an important market for exporters from Australia. As Seeka is from New Zealand, Franks does not see his company going along with this trend any time soon: “Seeka does not export to India and has no plans to. It is a challenging supply channel for Seeka and other New Zealand exporters. That said, Asia Fruit Logistica has been excellent for Seeka to reconnect with our clients face to face and renew our relationships after the challenges of Covid. Thankfully, our customers have really been generous with their time during the event so far.”
As things are looking grim for growers in terms of getting the right return on their investment, Franks emphasizes that Seeka is doing what it can to optimise these grower returns: “Looking ahead at the remainder of the season, the likelihood is for lower returns to growers in New Zealand. With the outlook of delivering returns below the cost to grower; our primary focus is on optimising grower returns to maximise their profitability. Ensuring that proper planning delivers premium quality to our handlers and customers and profits to our growers,” Franks concludes.
For more information:
Michael Franks
Seeka
Tel: +64 21 356 516
Email: michael.franks@seeka.co.nz
www.seeka.co.nz