World avocado trade set to grow
A new report by Rabobank says global avocado trade will continue to grow in the next few years, but the market will be more competitive.
Demand to get into the avocado industry is exceeding the supply of trees, says the chair of the Avocado Growers Association.
Ashby Whitehead reports a wait as long as 18 months to get trees from nurseries, despite two new nurseries having started and the existing ones producing more trees. The industry recently held a function at parliament to thank its supporters such as MPI and to showcase its success to decision makers in Wellington.
Whitehead says global demand for avocados is growing 10% a year.
“It’s the new health food creating a real buzz in the market. Avocados are not only healthy, they are more versatile than most other foods... you can have them for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and even dessert.”
There is big demand from Asia where consumers are just starting to see avocados in supermarkets; China and India are new markets. “There is a lot of headroom for avocados in these emerging markets.”
Whitehead says the health properties of avocados make them a winner in Asia. They contain folic acid, desirable for pregnant women.
Many commentators predict a bright future for the avocado industry, with good returns to growers.
Some growers get the same returns as SunGold kiwifruit growers, Whitehead says. And the cost of running an avocado orchard is much lower than kiwifruit.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.