New Zealand's avocado industry is working to stabilise production and maintain export performance following recent challenges. NZ Avocado CEO Brad Siebert said spring storms caused damage to Bay of Plenty orchards, while exporters continue to face strong competition from other supplying countries.
"While competition from other origins remains strong, the sector is focused on elevating the global profile of Avocados from New Zealand," Siebert said.
The 2025–26 export season is underway, with NZ Avocado focusing on market development across Asia and North America. Recent promotional activities included participation at Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong and World Food India in New Delhi.
Siebert said Asia Fruit Logistica, which featured exhibitors from 41 countries, offered a platform to promote New Zealand supply into Asian markets, where the industry also launched its new FernMark certification. "At World Food India, our involvement aimed not only to raise the profile of the New Zealand avocado sector and understand opportunities in this emerging market, but also to actively engage with New Zealand and Indian officials," he said.
The four-day event in New Delhi hosted about 1,700 exhibitors, 500 international buyers, and participants from 100 nations. Siebert said the trading environment this season requires careful management of volumes and timing into key markets. "While existing markets across Asia remain well serviced, there are also new and emerging markets this season in North America," he said.
"Growing volumes will flow to Canada, with the 15% tariff into the U.S. While not ideal, it is aligned with tariffs that other origins like Peru are facing, which we seasonally compete with."
Main export destinations this season include Australia, Korea, Hong Kong, and China, with steady volumes to Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, and Singapore.
Domestically, growers in the Western Bay of Plenty were affected by a strong wind event in September, classified by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) as a "localised adverse event." Siebert said this enabled government agencies and regional authorities to consider support for affected growers.
The Bay of Plenty produces about half of New Zealand's avocado crop. "While this is still to be quantified and will likely be in excess of 500,000 trays, there are individual growers hit hardest by the wind event that have lost over 80% of their fruit," Siebert said.
He added that tree health will remain a priority as leaf and flower damage could impact yields across multiple seasons. "The challenge is on this season, with market conditions both internationally and domestically testing every part of our industry," he said. "Our best chance of success lies in an engaged and informed grower base and supply chain."
Source: SunLive
