In North Queensland, last year's avocado crop from the Tablelands and Mareeba–Dimbulah Irrigation Area reached 6.65 million equivalent trays, valued at around US$87.5 million (A$133 million). The region accounted for about 27% of Queensland's total avocado output.
For the 2025–26 season, growers expect stable yields, with production largely depending on weather conditions that affect flowering and fruit set. Tablelands grower Lawrence Massasso said that the Shepard variety is expected to yield around 10% more this season compared with last year.
"At this stage, Haas variety production looks to be similar to last year's crop," he said. "The timing of the fruit may be a little later than last year's crop due to a longer cool period. However, this will probably be made up as the year warms up."
Across Australia, avocado production has expanded over the past decade from 66,716 tons to 131,385 tons, reaching a gross production value of about US$528 million (A$794 million). The national wholesale price averaged US$4.08 (A$6.14) per kilogram.
Queensland remains the largest producing state, accounting for about 50% of national output, followed by Western Australia and the Northern Territory with a combined 36%. In the 2024–25 fiscal year, total national production declined by 13% year-on-year, from 150,913 to 131,385 tons.
During the same period, Western Australia's avocado crop fell by 44%, while Queensland's production increased by 19%, from 64,071 to 76,501 tons, according to Infocado data.
Local growers continue to monitor flowering and fruit set closely, with variable patterns observed across the Tablelands and Mareeba–Dimbulah regions. The latest figures show that avocado production ranks third among the region's crops, with an estimated total value of US$99.4 million (A$151 million) and 85 active growers across North Queensland.
Source: The Express
