The Australian Avocado Industry defines sustainability as the economic, social, and environmental resilience of the industry, to deliver a consistent supply of high-quality Australian avocados to consumers now and into the future.
This page outlines the operating environment the Australian avocado industry navigates, and the actions we take together to support people, planet and long‑term productivity.
Our operating environment
Australian avocado producers must navigate and respond to a broad range of challenges, including:
- water availability
- climate variability
- biosecurity risks
- economic pressures from fluctuating market prices and highly competitive markets
- shifting consumer expectations around ethical sourcing, sustainable packaging, and reduced carbon footprints, that push the industry to adopt more transparent and responsible practices
- government policy and regulatory frameworks, including environmental standards, trade agreements and labour laws, that influence production decisions.
Together, these factors:
- determine the short-term profitability of avocado farming
- shape the industry’s ability to achieve long-term social, environmental and economic sustainability.
Providing healthy, nutritious food
The Australian avocado industry invests in research, development, extension and marketing initiatives to support consumer access, awareness and consumption of high-quality avocados, as part of a nutritious diet.
A nutritious food source
Avocados are a nutrient-dense fruit that play an important role in a healthy diet, contributing 15 different nutrients and phytonutrients.
The current domestic consumption of avocados is 4.94kg/per capita and growing year on year. Domestic consumption (kg/per capita) has grown by 100% since 2013.
The Australian avocado industry has invested in research to ensure consumers and industry can access accurate scientific data on the health benefits of avocados.
Research and commitment to quality ensures that avocados are part of a healthy diet, and present a nourishing, plant-based substitute for spreads high in saturated fat.
A safe, high-quality product
Delivering safe, high-quality and traceable Australian avocados is a priority for the Australian avocado industry. Australian agriculture has a reputation for producing some of the highest quality products in the world, governed by well-established legislative regulations and industry standards.
Horticulture industry quality and traceability systems exist to support the Australian avocado industry to meet this objective. These systems are often independently verified on an individual business level at an annual frequency, achieving global best practice.
People and enterprises
The avocado industry:
- generates significant economic value and employment with a gross value of production of $794 million in 2024-25
- employed 1,822 full-time equivalent employees in 2020-21, projected to grow by 27% by 2029-30 on full-time equivalent roles.
All businesses operating in the avocado supply chain are required to provide ethical, fair and safe workplaces under the Fair Work Act 2009.
Under the model Work Health and Safety Act, businesses also have a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers at work.
Avocados Australia has a range of resources to promote best practice WHS for avocado growers and others in the industry and picker and packer training videos are available in the Best Practice Resource.
Planet and resources
The Australian avocado industry invests heavily to improve the sustainable management of soil, nutrients and chemicals through extensive research, development and extension activities.
On-farm environmental practices
Producers work to reduce their impact on the environment through a range of practices, including:
- irrigation monitoring and scheduling
- integrated pest and disease management
- nutrient budgeting
- improving soil health
- protecting downstream environments.
The Avocado Benchmarking National Report 2023 found that:
- 92% of growers in the sample group conduct soil testing at least every two years
- over three quarters (77%) of avocado growers in the Avocado Benchmarking National Report sample reported conducting leaf tissue or leaf sap analysis to inform nutrition management at least once a year (54%) or more frequently (23%).
Biosecurity
The avocado industry has developed a Biosecurity Plan and works with Plant Health Australia through the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed to monitor and respond to biosecurity threats and incursions.
The Avocado Benchmarking National Report 2023 found that:
- most growers surveyed in the benchmarking study actively manage weeds, diseases, pests and feral animals
- all respondents actively manage invasive weeds, and the majority (67%) actively manage feral animals
- the majority of respondents undertake management for anthracnose at least once per year (85%) and almost half (46%) manage the disease more than 10 times per year.
Climate and waste
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and managing climate change risk
Compared with other food products, fruits and vegetables in general have very low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity per kilogram.
For the avocado industry, the major sources of emissions during production are electricity used to power irrigation and the use of fertilisers.
Partners within our industry supply chain have committed to reducing these emissions through investment in a range of projects, including:
- The Avocado Industry Benchmarking 2022-2027 (AV22004) project to support industry in understanding energy efficiency for benchmarking purposes
- the industry-level life cycle assessment (LCA) of Australian avocado production (AV23015), which quantifies the contribution of energy use to emissions
Less waste, more efficiency
The Australian avocado industry is focused on minimising waste and maximising efficiency throughout the supply chain, including through:
- several industry projects aimed at improving fruit quality in the production system and broader supply chain
- investment in the Best Practice Resource and extension to support growers improve quality and reduce waste on farm.
- a number of value-adding avenues for growers including process avocado and avocado oil
- regularly donating out-of-specification produce to charities such as Foodbank.
The PESTLE model
This PESTLE (political, economic, social, technological, legal, environmental) model outlines key factors influencing the operating environment for avocado producers in relation to sustainability goals and reporting.
Political
- National policy direction toward net zero emissions, including the Agriculture and Land sector plan supporting Australia’s Net Zero Plan.
- Government funding and levy investments supporting RD&E in sustainable production.
- Trade diplomacy and market access conditions linked to sustainability standards in export markets (such as the EU Green Deal, deforestation-free imports).
- Increasing emphasis on alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in government, Australian Agriculture Sustainability Framework and RDC reporting frameworks.
Economic
- Rapid production growth and risk of domestic oversupply driving reliance on export market development where sustainability credentials are a differentiator.
- High input and compliance costs for sustainability improvements (such as irrigation efficiency, renewable energy, labour certification).
- Retailer procurement standards influencing farm-gate access and pricing, particularly on emissions, waste, and ethical sourcing.
- Potential long-term productivity and cost benefits from improved water, soil, and energy efficiency.
Social
- Strong consumer expectations for sustainable and ethically produced food – in 2024 55% of Australians considered sustainability when buying produce.
- Growing scrutiny of labour rights and modern slavery risks in horticulture, increasing reputational exposure.
- Need to maintain social licence to operate through responsible water use, biodiversity management and community engagement.
- Industry workforce diversification and inclusion challenges, with reliance on migrant and PALM workers requiring fair employment and cultural safety.
Technological
- Growing adoption of precision agriculture, soil and water monitoring technologies improving sustainability metrics
- Development of life cycle assessment (LCA) tools to quantify emissions and water use
- Potential for digital traceability and QR code systems to link sustainability data with provenance and food safety
- Emerging automation and renewable energy technologies reducing labour and emissions intensity
Legal
- Introduction of mandatory climate-related financial disclosure requirements (2024–27) for large and medium agribusinesses and indirect reporting pressures on smaller suppliers.
- Enforcement of Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Fair Work Act 2009, including compliance with minimum wages and safe conditions.
- Strengthening of Modern Slavery Act 2018 obligations and oversight by the new Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
- Environmental obligations under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
Environmental
- Increased climate variability posing risks to yield, fruit quality, and regional suitability.
- Rising water scarcity and competition among sectors, requiring improved efficiency and alternative sourcing such as recycled water.
- Ongoing risk of biosecurity threats and pest incursions exacerbated by climate change.
- Need to maintain and demonstrate biodiversity, soil health and pollinator protection as part of credible sustainability performance.