Welcome to the latest edition of Guacamole. Get all the latest avocado industry news at your fingertips every fortnight!

Australia needs export infrastructure. 15/3/18.
Australia’s push to lift the value of farm production is “unattainable” unless the country takes an assertive approach to export-related infrastructure, KPMG’s Asia business advisor says.

Avocado on Guzman Y Gomez breakfast menu. 9/3/18.
Mexican chain Guzman Y Gomez have launched a new breakfast range, including both guacamole and smashed avocado on toast.

Horticulture Produce Agreements
Growers must have a compliant Horticulture Produce Agreement (HPA) in place by 1 April, as the transition period for the revised Horticultural Code of Practice comes to an end. Templates are available on the Growcom website.

US: UC Riverside releasing new varieties. 27/3/18.
No dates have been announced but the University of California Riverside says it’s “on the verge” of releasing several new varieties.

China: Mexico and Chile compete for market. 26/3/18.
Seven of every 10 avocados sold in T-mall are from Mexico. Avocados have become one of the top best-selling fruits on T-mall, with sales rising by 300-400%. Over on Alibaba, nearly one million avocados were sold on Singles Day alone.

UK & US: mini avos on the shelves. 25/3/18.
A six-pack of mini avocados are selling in Tesco stores, and marketed as the perfect snack-size. And in the US, Mission has introduced organic minis.

UK: pineapple overtaking avocado as fastest growing fruit. 24/3/18.
For a while avocados had it all their own way as Britons smashed them on toast but there is a new pretender to the fruit crown – the pineapple.

South Korea is New Zealand’s second-largest market. 22/3/18.
The Asian nation has emerged as the largest export market for New Zealand avocados behind Australia, by volume and value. NZ exported 145,000 trays to South Korea in 2017/18.

China: Mission Produce opening second ripening facility. 21/3/18.
Mission Produce, Lantao and Pagoda have signed an agreement to open a second avocado ripening centre in the South of China. Lantao says the ripe program has driven consumption increases.

US: Walmart files robotic bee patent. 19/3/18.
Retail corporation Walmart has reportedly filed a patent for autonomous robotic bees that could potentially pollinate crops, it’s been reported.

Mexico: seven areas declared free of borer. 20/3/18.
The declaration that seven municipalities are free of the avocado seed borer pest eliminates the phytosanitary restrictions for those areas, including national transport and export restrictions

California focuses on consumer loyalty. 19/3/18.
“The messaging (of the new campaign) is designed to increase the value and preference for, and loyalty to, California avocados in season,” says CAC’s Jan DeLyser.

Chile & Peru warn slower ships threat to avocado trade. 19/3/18.
The trade in avocados, cherries and blueberries could suffer from a proposed short-term measure to cut carbon emissions from shipping, according to Chile and Peru.

Easter eggs & Guacamania
In the last fortnight, a new “avocado” Easter Egg has been in the media, this time from Los Angeles, while the Waitrose egg has sold out. There’s also now an Instagram account to help you calculate home ownership in avocado toast foregone. Hungry? A hotel in Mexico is hosting Guacamania with an on-site guacamologist and Berlin’s Avocado Club has opened, as has The Hass Bistro in Bangkok and GuacAmore in Italy. And in case you need it, there’s an avocado pool float now too.

Registrations open for 2018 Irrigation Australia expo

Early-bird conference rates close 20 April! Registrations are open for the 2018 Irrigation Australia International Conference and Exhibition, which will showcase the latest in irrigation solutions, technologies and knowledge for horticulturists. The southern hemisphere’s largest irrigation event, this year’s conference theme is “Addressing the Big Issues”, with horticulture a key topic. Technology, rainwater harvesting and energy-efficient irrigation will be key interest points. Avocados Australia has secured a 10% discount for members using the code AVOCADO.
When: 13-15 June
Where: International Convention Centre, Sydney
Exhibition entry: free
Conference early-bird rates end: 20 April
Register: http://iaice.com.au 

HARPS workshops in April

Workshops are being held in across the country, covering HARPS, who needs it, how to implement it and how to register. For growers in other regions, a pre-recorded webinar will be available on the HARPS website. If there isn't a workshop in your area, email harps@harpsonline.com.au to register your interest. New sessions may be run in areas where there is demand. Click here to see a list of events (and in the calendar below) or here for more about HARPS generally. Call 1300 852 219 for more information.

Calendar

2018
10 Apr – HARPS workshop, Melbourne VIC
11 Apr – HARPS workshop, Mareeba Q
11 Apr – HARPS workshop, Boogan, South Johnstone Q
27 Apr - Churchill Fellowship applications close
27 Apr – Efficient Farming Forum, Mareeba Q
1 May – Avocados Australia regional meeting, Crows Nest Q
2 May – Avocados Australia regional meeting, Coolum Q
14-16 May – China Fruit Logistica, Shanghai
15 May – Avocados Australia regional meeting, Bunbury WA
21 May – Avocados Australia regional meeting, Renmark SA
31 May – Avocados Australia regional meeting, Mareeba Q
5 June – Avocados Australia regional meeting, Stuarts Point NSW
7 June – Avocados Australia regional meeting, Childers Q
13-15 Jun – Irrigation Australia International Conference, Sydney
18-20 June – Hort Connections 2018, Brisbane
2-4 Jul – Northern Australia Food Futures Conference, Darwin
23-25 Jul – New Zealand Horticulture Conference, Christchurch
4 Sept – Asiafruit Congress, Hong Kong 
5-7 Sept – Asia Fruit Logistica, Hong Kong
8 Spt – Blackbutt Avocado Festival, Blackbutt, Q
26 Spt – Fresh Produce Safety Conference, Sydney
18-20 Oct – PMA Fresh Summit, Florida, USA

2019
6-8 Feb – Fruit Logistica Berlin 
23-27 Spt – IX World Avocado Congress, Colombia