Avocado cultivation in New Zealand navigated a blend of success and challenges, with growers struggling to maintain operations following years of adverse weather. According to New Zealand Avocado chief executive Brad Siebert, Australia absorbed a portion of the export crop alongside North American and Asian markets. This distribution awarded growers with moderate returns depending on their packout levels. While some reached packout rates between 80% and 90%, others saw figures fall below 35%, primarily due to impacts from Cyclone Gabrielle.
Siebert expressed a desire to elevate the industry average packout to previous levels of 60% to 70%, highlighting the necessity of favourable weather and effective crop protection. Cyclone Tam, which hit around Easter, introduced wind-induced cosmetic damage, particularly affecting fruit in Northland and leading to potential downgrades. Additionally, Northland faced a transition from drought conditions to heavy rainfall, resulting in water accumulation in orchards. The shallow root system of avocado trees emphasizes the need for effective drainage to prevent long-term health issues.
Siebert explained, "The trees that aren't well drained just sulk, and the water has the potential to cause long-term tree health, so growers must actively manage that. As an industry, we are just trying to support them as best we can with resources and helping them to manage the cleanup."
Reflecting on the past season, Siebert noted the importance of weather in facilitating recovery and yielding reasonable fruit sales in key markets. Despite improved returns, some growers face ongoing challenges after enduring negative cash flows for two years due to Cyclone Gabrielle and struggle to sustain business activities.
Concluding on the uncontrollable nature of agriculture, Siebert remarked on the influence of tariffs, market access, and particularly the weather, reinforcing the constraints growers face in the sector. The upcoming 2025/26 season brings optimism with expectations for stability and growth.
Source: RuralNews