Australian Avocados One Step Closer to China Market

Industry body Avocados Australia recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association in Beijing, marking a crucial step forward in facilitating access to the Chinese market for Australian avocados.

Avocados Australia, headquartered in the state of Queensland, represents the interests of Australian avocado growers, exporters, marketers and wholesalers. According to the memorandum, the China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association will assist in sharing market information and help establish necessary research and development frameworks to overcome the barriers to market entry. This collaborative effort is designed to enhance information sharing between the two organizations.

In 2022, Australia witnessed a significant surge in avocado production to 122,000 metric tons, marking a remarkable 52.5% increase from the previous year. Projections indicate that the production volume should surpass 170,000 metric tons by 2026. The peak avocado harvest season in Australia spans from April to December, with Queensland standing out as the leading avocado-producing state. This state alone accounts for approximately half of the country’s total avocado output.

In terms of varieties, Hass avocados represent approximately 83% of Australian avocado production and are available for harvest throughout the year. The Shepard variety comes next, accounting for around 14% of total production. Primarily cultivated in Queensland, Shepard avocados mature and enter the market between February and April, making them a primary variety during this period.

Although Australia’s avocado production cannot compete with that of Mexico and South American countries, favorable growing conditions have contributed to a substantial increase in output. This abundance has led to an oversupply in Australia’s domestic market, prompting the industry to actively explore opportunities for expansion into overseas markets.

Currently, Australian avocados are predominantly exported to Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. In the 2019/20 season, Australia exported 4,051 metric tons of fresh avocados, representing a mere 4.63% of that year’s total production. However, in the 2021/22 season, the export quantity skyrocketed by 268% to 11,611 metric tons, corresponding to 9.5% of total production.

Image: Pixabay

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article.