New Zealand Avocado is targeting $1b in sales of New Zealand avocado by 2040
Avocado is a profitable, rapidly growing export-oriented industry with New Zealand the ninth largest avocado exporter yet producing just 2% of the international supply.
As global per capita avocado consumption continues to increase, fueled by positive perceptions of the trendy superfood, the currently strong demand for New Zealand-grown avocados is expected to continue. This is likely to further be aided by the industry’s focus on growth in Asian markets supported by free trade deals such as the New Zealand and South Korea free trade agreement.
As the industry looks to regional diversification to meet this demand, increasingly favourable climatic conditions, land availability and an entrepreneurial mindset means there is growing interest in expanding on the existing productive orchards in Taranaki.
Beyond the high-value fruit, opportunities will arise for support services, post-harvest infrastructure, and processing facilities for value-added products. The region is well-positioned to capitalise on this development, transferring skills and knowledge to the industry and building on the existing leadership in food and product development.
Sector turnover and growth targets
Avocado is an important horticultural crop in New Zealand – surpassed in scale only by production of kiwifruit, apples and grapes.
The avocado industry is continuing to expand in terms of area planted, tonnes of fruit produced and total revenue.
Exports are driving overall growth – but domestic sales remain an important part of the industry. All unprocessed avocados consumed in New Zealand are grown in New Zealand as raw avocados cannot be imported due to biosecurity risks.
Sales of NZ grown avocados 2020/21
$234m $171m in exports and $63m from the local marketAvocado growers in NZ approx.
1,600 Who cultivate just over a combined 4,000 hectaresTotal harvest in the 2020/21 season
45,000t Equivalent to 8.2 million trays (5.5kg each)NZ production in Bay of Plenty and Northland
90% Bay of Plenty (54%) and Northland (36%)Our blueprint for avocados in Taranaki
This blueprint provides an overview for commercial production and processing of avocados and their value chain in Taranaki, and an indication of potential returns.
Please note: This blueprint was produced in 2022
We recently talked to Matthew Hareb about the process of establishing his avocado orchard in Brixton, North Taranaki, the steps he has taken and his plans for the future.
Taranaki Avo Growers Group
We’re calling for landowners who are growing, or are seriously considering growing, avocados at commercial scale, to join our avocado growers’ group. With more than 15 other interested parties already signed up, this is an opportunity to connect and collaborate within a supported and connected environment.
We are also happy to facilitate an assessment of your site through a referral to relevant expertise.
Accessing Avocados Branching Out Event
Venture Taranaki's Branching Out project held a community event for landowners and investors in 2021 to explore the viability of the region sustaining the avocado value chain. We invited nurseries, packhouse operators, and exporters to share their knowledge of the industry and how Taranaki may be positioned to join the avocado-producing sector of New Zealand.
Stuart Pascoe, Lynwood Avocado Nursery - registered avocado nursery, producing healthy, pest-free, disease-free, certified avocado trees.
Jonathan Cutting, Trevalyans Pack and Cool - largest single-site avocado and kiwifruit packhouse in New Zealand
Henry McIntosh, Avoco - New Zealand's largest grower-led avocado exporter
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