Are You Happy with How You Monitor Dry Matter?

The Monitoring Avocado Supply Chain Quality project continues to focus on supporting growers, packers, and retailers with practical tools and services that help drive demand for Australian avocados. One of our current areas of attention is exploring how we can strengthen the industry’s ability to monitor and communicate fruit maturity — particularly through improved dry matter testing and interpretation… Dry Matter Monitoring Feedback Form 💻

This year, the project has undertaken dry matter assessments on 153 avocado samples collected across Australian growing regions between February and October. Thirty percent (30%) of these samples were found to be below the industry’s minimum maturity standard, with North Queensland, Central Queensland, Tristate and Western Australia growing regions all showing a high proportion of below standard fruit.

We recognise that our project sample numbers may not provide a true reflection of all market supply during the sampling period, and we also know that there are market pressures and weather that can influence harvesting plans. We do however want to ensure that the industry standard, the industry advice on sampling and testing, and the positive recognition – for those who work hard to meet and promote that their fruit meets minimum eating quality standards – are all working well enough.

Ideas received from growers and packers previously suggests there might be opportunities to make improvements — such as updating best practice guidelines for orchard and packshed sampling, providing better calibration advice and collaboration on NIRS (non-destructive) data models and improving awareness of regional service providers who offer dry matter testing. Some in the industry have also suggested revisiting the 10-fruit average approach to assessing maturity levels, or exploring new ways to positively promote supply chains that demonstrate robust monitoring and communication of fruit maturity in consignments.

We’re now seeking broader input from across the industry to ensure that if there are any key opportunities identified, that we get to work on these. Whether you conduct your own dry matter testing or outsource this service, your experience and ideas are valuable. Please take a few minutes to share your feedback through the Dry Matter Monitoring Feedback Form 💻 and let us know if you’d like to receive a summary of de-identified responses once collated. Your contribution will help ensure that project resources are directed toward any valuable ideas.

For further information contact Anne Larard (idm@avocado.org.au) from Avocados Australia.

The project Monitoring Avocado Supply Chain Quality (AV22011) has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the avocado research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.

This article appears as part of the 7 November 2025 issue of Guacamole, our E-newsletter.

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