By Flora Zhang, Avocados Australia Export Development Manager

We now have our 2021-2022 export results and the total volume exported has dramatically increased when compared to the previous period. Total volume of Australian avocados exported reached 11,626 tonnes (valued at AU$52.05 million) compared to 3,155 tonnes in 2020/21.

This is a positive result and is a step in the right direction if we are to be competitive in the global market and achieve our target volume (20,000 by 2026).

In FY21-22, Hong Kong was the largest export destination and accounted for 46 per cent of all export volumes followed by Singapore with 31 per cent share and Malaysia with 19 per cent (see the graph provided). Trade to Japan was 106 tonnes or 0.9 per cent share of export volumes.

Results are already being achieved with the implementation of our Avocado Export Strategy 2022-2026. The avocado levy-funded international marketing activity is being focused on market access and growing market share in existing trading markets.  I recommend that you read the “Marketing Aussie avocados internationally” article located in the Marketing section of this magazine for information on where the marketing effort is being directed in our overseas markets. A special focus has been directed to marketing to Japanese consumers in line with our aims to increase exports in that market given that Japan is the largest avocado importing country in Asia and our competitors have a strong footprint in that market.

In my recent discussions with growers and packers I am finding there is great interest in exporting. Those who are gearing up to export are conducting the necessary planning. Exporting requires that you plan at least six months ahead. Given our forecasts for record volumes in the coming years many growers will need to prepare and plan for exporting a significant proportion of their fruit. Our Export Regional Forums rolled out in each region provided valuable insights to growers and packers. In 2023/24, we are planning to have a series of export regional forums in each region again to provide growers and packers with a platform to learn, to innovate and grow exports further. I am excited that Avocados Australia is able to support growers in their exporting journey over the coming years.

Avocados Australia has continued to support market access in line with our export plan. Avocados Australia continues to work with DAFF to convene the Avocado Market Access Advisory Group (MAAG) meetings which include key avocado exporters, to provide advice to DAFF across all our market access priorities. I understand that Avocados Australia is recruiting a market access specialist to assist us in these efforts. I look forward to working with them and delivering the activities required to meet our export goals.

If you have any questions in regard Avocados Australia’s exporting projects, or exporting Australian avocados to overseas markets, please contact me directly at export@avocado.org.au.

Acknowledgement:

This Avocado market access and trade development (AV20004) project 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 appeared in the Spring 2022 issue of Talking Avocados magazine.