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Guacamole 21 July 2017 |
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Welcome to the latest edition of the Guacamole newsletter. Get all the latest avocado industry news at your fingertips every fortnight! |
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Avocados Australia launches Avocado Directory
Avocados Australia is now welcoming listing applications from industry stakeholders for the new Avocado Directory. The directory allows easy access to all sorts of businesses that play a role in the avocado industry. Whether you are a buyer or seller of products or services, this directory can help you.
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Rise in Asian fresh food demand
Global demand for fresh food increased by nearly three percent in 2016, market research provider Euromonitor International says. The Asia Pacific is among the regions displaying above average growth, contrasting with limited growth in Australasia, Western Europe and North America due to the competition of packaged food and drinks impacting on fresh food consumption.
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Hort Innovation releases 2015/16 statistics
The latest Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook combines all available data on production, international trade, processing volumes and fresh market distribution to produce statistics on 75 categories, including avocados. Domestically, the report says 56 percent of Australian households purchased avocados, buying an average of 508g per shopping trip.
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Marketing our Australian avocados
In 2016, 69 percent of internet users had at least one social media profile, making the Australian Avocados Facebook page (liked by 185,000 consumers) an important component of the industry’s marketing program. The industry’s marketing is managed by Hort Innovation and funded by the avocado marketing levy. See the latest marketing activity that’s helping Aussie consumers connect with (and eat!) Australian Avocados.
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Extended! Your chance to help improve our communications for the coming year
Avocados Australia is calling on industry stakeholders to complete our Online Communication Survey ‐ this enters you into the draw to win $500! We want to know your views, what is important to you and how we can do the best job of providing you with industry-relevant information. The survey should take 10-15 minutes to complete. The survey now closes on 4 August and the prize winner will be announced in the Guacamole.
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Farm Safety Week
This week is National Farm Safety Week, and according to Safe Work Australia statistics, there’s still a lot of work to be done to make the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries safer. As at 20 July, 2017, 21 people in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries have lost their lives at work.
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Top recent additions to the BPR
Have you noticed all the new content in our Best Practice Resource? Here’s a recap!
- There’s a whole new section devoted to helping you consider the needs of export markets.
- You can find a video on how to plant an avocado tree in the BPR Library.
- Learn more about the Small Tree – High Productivity Initiative by watching the project’s new video in the BPR Library.
- Study Group event notes are progressively added to the Event Proceedings category of the BPR Library.
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 use this vital resource. If you are already registered, log into the BPR and click on "What's new on the BPR" on the homepage.
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New FTA could open Peruvian access to Australian market. 19/07/17.
According to the Lima Chamber of Commerce Foreign Trade Center Manager Carlos Garcia, Australia is a potential $72 million market, given high consumption rates and as the “market that pays the most for avocado in the world”.
Australian farmers growing more fruit and nuts. 10/07/17.
Findings from the ABS’ 2015-16 Agricultural Census show production has increased in most fruit and nut commodities grown in Australia. The census found avocado production jumped in all states, particularly Western Australia.
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US farmers call for technology investment. 19/07/17.
Investment in new technology, including robotics and mechanisation, would ensure the future success of American agriculture, according to specialty-crop farmers who testified before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee.
Chinese demand impacts on avocado prices. 17/07/17.
China could be an important factor in boosting avocado values to the benefit of producing countries such as Peru. Main destinations for Peruvian fruit remain the Netherlands, Spain, the US and the UK, but China’s demand is boosting international prices.
Chile believes Asia will surpass Europe as avocado market. 17/07/17.
Chile believes Asian demand for avocado could surpass Europe’s in the next few years, particularly as Asian consumers are beginning to know how to consume the fruit.
Florida's avocados threatened by beetles. 14/07/17.
A tiny beetle is turning out to be a huge nuisance for Florida’s avocado crops. The redbay ambrosia beetle has already killed 300 million redbay trees and the bug carries with it the laurel wilt fungus.
US: Fourth of July record for avocados. 14/07/17.
More than 118 million pounds of avocados were sold in the US for Fourth of July festivities this year, a record for the holiday. Actual sales far surpassed the projection for Independence Day 2017, which was 100 million, according to a news release.
Mexico: climate causing problems for organic avocados. 14/07/17.
Difficult climatic conditions have caused a two-month loss of production compared to the previous year for Mexico’s organic avocado crops. The production of organic avocados is more complicated as only natural products are used to combat pests and diseases.
New Zealand avocado acreage increasing. 14/07/17.
New Zealand’s avocado industry is in the midst of a planting boom. Large parcels of farming land in the Auckland and Northland regions are being converted to avocado orchards, and there are delays in sourcing nursery stock.
London’s iconic buses get an avocado makeover. 14/07/17.
Avocados are taking over London roads, as the World Avocado Organization unleashes its Avocado Fruit of Life-branded buses and black cabs. The use of hashtags #AvoBus and #AvoCab is being encouraged with passengers, as part of a wider marketing push.
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Avocado Study Group Workshops
All growers! Come along to an avocado study group workshop hosted by Simon Newett, QDAF, for access to knowledge that will lead to more consistent high yields of good-quality avocados.
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Horticulture Code of Conduct Workshops: Queensland
Growcom, along with the regional horticulture bodies, invites you to attend regional free grower specific workshop to help you understand how the Horticulture Code of Conduct protects your business and to make sure you meet your obligations. This will include working through a Horticulture Produce Agreement template.
- 3 August, Bowen, 11am-1pm, DAF Research Station, 45 Warwick Rd
- 17 August, Mareeba, 4.30pm-6.30pm, venue TBA
- 22 August, Gayndah, 4.30pm-6.30 pm, Grand Hotel
- 23 August, Bundaberg, 2pm-4pm, Burnett Club
- 24 August, Gatton, 4pm-6pm, DAF Research Station
- 31 August, Stanthorpe, 4.30pm-6.30pm, DAF Research Station
These workshops are sponsored by the HiveXChange and supported by the Vegnet program. For more information or to RSVP, contact Growcom’s Rachel Mackenzie at rmackenzie@growcom.com.au. |
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Freshcare Forum & Fresh Produce Safety Centre Conference
For the first time, the Freshcare Forum and Fresh Produce Safety Centre (FPSC) Conference will be run as consecutive events from 7-9 August in Sydney. The Freshcare Forum delivers technical and program updates on food safety, quality and environmental assurance, with social and networking opportunities. The Annual FPSC Conference provides an event for a wider fresh produce food safety audience, reporting on research outcomes, innovation and industry opportunities. You can read more on the event website. |
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Guacamole has been funded through by Hort Innovation, using the avocado research and development levy and funds from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.
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