The avocado season is well and truly underway at New Zealand grower and packer, Seeka. The local market fruit programs have been underway for a few weeks and the export program to Asia started last week. Australia is scheduled to commence its program in the week of 15 August.
“Fruit quality looks excellent and our northern harvest is underway with the Bay of Plenty starting next week,” said Michael Franks, CEO at the company.
“The Australian market is mixed. The market is still soft with an abundance of fruit in the market now. The western fruit volumes look to be lighter this year after last year’s bumper crops and the market is anticipated to be stronger later in the year.”
Seeka is focussing on building Asian markets with particular emphasis on China, Japan, South Korea and Thailand. Some of these markets still have lower priced South American fruit and most New Zealand exporters are waiting for this fruit to clear the market.
“GEM is the new variety grown in New Zealand. It has a smaller tree with the fruit largely hanging within the tree and more protected. The fruit is still in trial volumes only with commercial production expected in 2023. The fruit is anticipated to have a later maturity profile and accordingly would be well suited to late Asian markets and post-Christmas Australia.”
For more information:
Michael Franks
Seeka
Tel.: +64 021 356 516
michael.franks@seeka.co.nz
www.seeka.co.nz