Australia's avocado growers are urging brunch lovers to keep up their smashed avocado habit at home after a dramatic crash in the market set off by the coronavirus shutdown of cafes and restaurants. The food-service industry is a massive market for avocado growers, taking fruit that doesn't make the premium grade sold in fruit shops and supermarkets.
Wide Bay, Queensland, avocado farmer Lachlan Donovan said he was lucky he still had orders to fill through chain stores. "With lower-grade stuff it's certainly not worth the money ... processed product, like guacamole that went straight to different takeaway shops or retailers, that is a market that has collapsed. There's probably going to be a reasonable amount of fruit that'll get dumped."
Far North Queensland grower and Avocados Australia chairman Jim Kochi said the drop in prices had left growers "very apprehensive". "Avocado growers are [feeling] the same as everyone at the moment," he said.
Australia's avocado industry has boomed in recent years, last season producing more than 85,000 tonnes, 55 per cent of which were grown in Queensland.
According to an article on abc.net.auΒΈ avocado growers are hoping those in isolation will recreate their favourite cafe staples like smashed avo at home.
