NZ avocado growers report mixed season amid weather challenges
Avocado growers are reporting a successful season, but some are struggling to keep their operations afloat following years of bad weather.
Siebert says these include orchard inputs, labour and interest rates.
His comments come after the release of the Rabobank Global Avocado Update 2024, which saw a 35% year-on-year decline in production for the 2023/24 crop.
RaboResearch analyst Pia Piggott says Cyclone Gabrielle impacted avocado quality, meaning that in 2023, exports were “well back” on the prior year, with total volume exports declining 51% year-on-year.
“While, in the domestic market, an oversupply of lower-grade fruit caused retail prices to fall,” Piggott says.
Despite this, she still says there were some bright spots.
“Exports to China in 2023 grew by 159% yearon- year (YOY), and this is a really positive sign as we see efforts to build market share in Asia as an essential step if New Zealand wants to become a more significant global player in term of avocado exports,” Piggott says.
Meanwhile, Siebert says current favourable growing conditions provide a positive outlook for orchard productivity in the upcoming season, alongside new and expanding market opportunities.
“While some sense of rationalisation will be seen as growers look deeper into their own on orchard costs towards maximising profitability, the industry continues to see year on year increases in fruit volumes from more recent plantings,” he told Hort News.
Siebert says that over the past few years, adverse weather events have impacted crop volumes and quality, however, summer 2023/24 has provided favourable growing conditions.
“The industry crop estimates point to an increase in production and in quality outcomes leading to an optimistic view in opportunities across domestic and export markets,” he adds.
He says the adverse effects of Cyclone Gabrielle forced the industry to review many aspects of how it operates and to reinforce best practise.
“This led to discussions on how the industry can be better equipped to navigate these seasonal challenges whether they be driven from environmental or global supply & demand impacts. The past season has proven how vulnerable the crop can be to adverse weather events, specifically wind, with fruit being downgraded away from export towards the domestic market in the 2023-24 season,” Siebert says.
“Reducing the compliance burden and arbitrary restrictions across the entire supply chain is now firmly in focus so that opportunities to find value can be capitalised on whatever mother nature throws our way.”
