By 2026, Australia's avocado supply is expected to be more than double what it was in 2021. That is one of the reasons that Avocados Australia is working to open new export markets to take the fruit. Now, bracing for another year of oversupply, the industry is ramping up its efforts to find new export markets. Increased production and some good weather means consumers can expect good prices in the short term, with nearly half the trees planted in Australia yet to even fruit some growers are worried about their long-term viability.
Industry representative body Avocados Australia works with growers to improve profitability, market access, research and development. Chief executive John Tyas said in 2022 growers produced 122,000 tons of fruit, up from 80,000 tons in 2021, with expectations production will reach 170,000 tons by 2026.
According to Tyas, the surge of fruit was not a one-off, and more tough years were ahead: "We're going through a massive growth phase and obviously the industry is going through some fairly serious growing pains. A 50 per cent increase in 12 months — that's why it's been such a struggle to suddenly move such a large increase in volume into fairly limited markets. We've really only got three major export markets and the domestic market."
Source: abc.net.au