The New Zealand avocado industry is vibrant and growing, and Australia plays a big part in our story.
The first avocado seeds were brought to New Zealand in the early 1900s from their native South America. The trees that were planted thrived in the volcanic soils, consistent rainfall and mild climate of the North Island of New Zealand and since this time the avocado industry has developed to become New Zealand’s third largest fresh fruit export.
New Zealand exports avocados all over the world, but the main market for our avocados is Australia, which takes nearly 80% of our avocado exports.
New Zealand has been sending avocados to Australia every summer for more than 30 years and we share Australia’s special love for avocado brunch, barbeques and summer salads. We grow our avocados with you in mind.
Supply chain
The main growing region for avocados in New Zealand is aptly named the Bay of Plenty, situated in the top half of the North Island. This area is known for it’s warm climate and fertile soil. Whangarei and the Far North are also favourable growing regions, which much of the recent investment into new avocado plantings taking place in the northernmost parts of New Zealand.
The industry consists of 1350 growers who collectively manage over 4000 hectares of mainly the Hass variety of avocados, producing up to 190 million avocados each season.
A number of packhouses, fruit marketing companies and exporters are involved in the industry to market and sell New Zealand avocados around the world.
About NZ avocado
NZ Avocado works alongside growers to promote and advance the avocado industry by packing the goodness of New Zealand into every slice of avocado we share with the world.
We are a grower funded body that exists to ensure that only the best avocados from New Zealand are sent to our avocado loving friends in Australia.
Systems
When you love something as much as Australia loves avocados, you’re bound to become discerning. We know that Australians care about where their food comes from, what is in it and how it is grown.
All avocado growers in New Zealand must register with NZ Avocado and comply with strict rules around avocado quality, food safety and sustainability before sending their avocados to Australia.
These rules apply right through the supply chain to ensure that our avocados are harvested only when ready and nurtured along their whole journey, so that when they arrive on your plate, you can enjoy their creamy deliciousness.
Sustainability
When nature created the avocado, it produced perfection. We’d like to keep it that way.
The most important ingredients in our avocados come from the nature that surrounds them. Our growers have a desire to protect and nurture the environment that provides a livelihood and a home for their family.
Our mandatory industry growing system, AvoGreen, ensures that our avocados are grown in a responsible and sustainable way. With many orchards being passed from one generation of avocado grower to the next, our growers are invested in acting as caretakers of the land for those who will follow.