increase font size
TWO FORMERLY fierce rivals in avocado exporting say their successful collaboration could signal the way forward for other export industries.
The forecast for Australia earnings this season have jumped 20%, from $40m to $50m, for the newly formed avocado exporter Avoco.
Now representing about 75% of New Zealand avocado growers, Avoco is a collaborative venture after decades of "fierce rivalry yet mutual respect" between New Zealand's two biggest avocado export companies, says an Avoco director Alistair Young.
Southern Produce Ltd, Bay of Plenty, and Primor Product Ltd, Auckland, put aside their long-standing commercial competitiveness to form the joint venture company to export to Australia, the biggest export market for avocado. They also now represent about 75% of exports to that market.
This bold move could signal the way forward for other export industries, they say.
"We have realised it makes complete sense to work as a partnership against foreign competitors rather than fight among ourselves," says Young, who is also a Southern Produce director. "The interests of the New Zealand avocado industry and its growers are best served by a unified entity focused totally on getting the best orchard-gate return for growers."
Primor Produce director and general manager John Carroll says growers demanded they perform better as an export industry. Avoco was able to revise its forecast earnings upwards at its first board meeting in June.
The two companies are also collaborating in all other export markets under their Avanza commercial arrangement.
A new Indonesian school milk programme is expected to significantly increase the country's total dairy consumption, creating opportunities for New Zealand and other global dairy players.
Horticultural prices are set to remain elevated this year, reflecting the balance between demand in key export markets and an increase in supply.
New Zealand's red meat exports for 2024 finished on a positive note, with total export value increasing 17% over last December to reach $1.04 billion, according to the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
Non-tariff trade measures (NTM) remain a problem for NZ exporters, according to Horticulture Export Authority (HEA) chief executive Simon Hegarty.
OPINION: Hats off to our pipfruit sector.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…
