The current New Zealand Hass avocado season is proving to be a challenging one for growers, with record low volumes of fruit exported. Down by more than a million trays compared to previous years, many orchards are still recovering from three consecutive seasons of adverse weather conditions.
Brad Siebert, chief executive of Avocados New Zealand, noted that the reduced export volumes have led to quality issues, resulting in an oversupply of lower-grade fruit in the domestic market and subsequent price decreases.
Siebert explained that various factors contributed to this situation, including increased global avocado production, heightened competition in export markets, and rising input costs for growers. Despite efforts to diversify export destinations, such as Canada and the United States, export volumes remain significantly lower than anticipated.
Competition from Australia has also intensified, particularly in key markets like India. However, Siebert remains optimistic about the upcoming season, with expectations of a larger crop starting in July.
The challenges faced by New Zealand's 1038 avocado growers underscore the need for resilience in the face of volatile market conditions and rising operational costs. Despite fluctuations in export values in recent years, the industry remains hopeful for a more prosperous season ahead.
Source: www.nzherald.co.nz