Simspon Farms on the market

The country's largest producer of fresh pack avocados is expected to be formally advertised as for sale this week, with expectations of a $200 million-plus payday for its family shareholders. Street Talk says adviser PwC has started testing appetite for Queensland-based Simpson Farms, which produced 1.4 million avocados last year. It is understood Simpson Farms' family shareholders are selling for succession reasons, the AFR story says.

Avocados Australia talks export

Avocados Australia reinforced the need for new and expanded export markets as part of a special briefing with Austrade regional and business managers in Hong Kong last week. Organised by Hort Innovation during Asia Fruit Logistica, the briefing was a chance to highlight the increasing domestic production that will require expanded international markets. “We do expect our export volumes will increase in coming years, focusing on providing top quality premium grade avocados,” AAL CEO John Tyas says.

Promoting Australian avocados in Asia

Avocados Australia Communications Manager Lisa Yorkston was in Hong Kong last week, as part of Hort Innovation’s Taste Australia pavilion within Asia Fruit Logistica. The event built further awareness of Australia’s top-quality product within the market and showcased new education materials developed for importers and retailers of Australian avocados. A majority of the interest was from mainland Chinese importers and retailers, as well as those in Taiwan and South Korea.

Celebrating 10 years

This week we celebrated a milestone with one of our Avocados Australia team. Amanda Madden, a well-known face (and voice!) has been with our organisation for 10 years, turning her hand to everything from the logistics of a Qualicado event to calling more than 400+ growers every year for the annual tree census. Congratulations Amanda!

Secure your voting rights: Hort Innovation AGM

Hort Innovation’s AGM will be held in Brisbane on 23 November. Should you wish to secure your voting entitlements, you need to complete an Annual Levy Return form. You can either complete the Annual Levy Return form online by Friday 28 September 2018 and use your unique member number and PIN that you have already received via hard copy post and email; or return the hard copy form already sent to all levy-paying members of Hort Innovation. The hard copy form must also be received by 28 September. If you have any questions, contact Link Market Service on 1800 660 083.

New permit issued by AVPMA

The AVPMA has issued a permit for Paclobutrazol (a soil drench application), for use in high density avocado orchards for vegetative growth management. The permit (PER85877) was issued on 29 August 2018 and expires on 31 August 2023. Click here to access the permit. If you have an adverse experience as a result of using this permit, you should complete the Non-Performance Reporting Form for Horticultural Pesticides form.

Campaign ad back on TV

Burst two of the Australian Avocados campaign launched on 9 September, and the industry’s latest television commercial will be played during popular shows such as The Block, The Bachelor Australia, Australian Survivor, 60 Minutes, and The Project. The avocado industry’s marketing activities are funded by your grower levies. See the latest marketing activity that’s helping Aussie consumers connect with (and eat!) Australian Avocados.

Thinking about exporting?

As Australian avocado volumes continue to grow, the development of export markets will become increasingly important to maintain profitability in the industry. The Export section of the BPR has been given a refresh, with updated information added to assist potential avocado exporters.

The BPR is our free online one-stop-shop to support best practice throughout the Australian avocado supply chains. We encourage all of our stakeholders to register and access this vital resource.

You can log in (or request access!) via www.avocado.org.au/best-practice-resource/.