NZ Avocado chief executive, Brad Siebert, highlights the potential for an improved season for avocado growers in New Zealand, attributing this optimism to favorable weather conditions and a strategic shift in export approach. The past two seasons presented challenges for growers, marked by Cyclone Dovi in 2022 and Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, which affected fruit quality and diminished export volumes and returns. However, strong pollination observed last October is expected to yield a crop of approximately 7 million trays, a significant increase from the previous year's 5 million.
Efforts are underway among growers to mitigate weather-related damage through enhanced orchard sheltering and innovative growing techniques, such as 2-D espalier setups. These initiatives aim at bolstering productivity and quality, with the industry supporting such trials. Geographically, the Bay of Plenty hosts around 50% of avocado production on predominantly smaller orchards, while Northland accounts for 45% of production on larger orchards. Other regions contributing to production include Auckland, Gisborne, and Taranaki.
New Zealand Avocado, serving as a growers' association, does not engage in selling or marketing the fruit, a role undertaken by approximately eleven exporters. Siebert emphasizes the organization's commitment to enhancing grower returns and optimizing the value derived from levy contributions. In response to recent challenges and competitive pressures, the industry has revised its export strategy to foster resilience and enable exporters to better capitalize on the international market across all fruit grades. This strategy adjustment aims to deliver improved value to growers and alleviate domestic market pressures during peak export periods.
The anticipation of a favorable season is instrumental in reinforcing the sector's viability to financial institutions, following the impacts of recent cyclones on export returns. Siebert expresses confidence in demonstrating the sector's resilience and prospects to rural lenders, ensuring their continued support for the avocado industry.
Source: HortNews