Help shape the future of avocado rootstocks in Australia

Complete the rootstock survey today to help build a stronger evidence base for future avocado planting decisions and support more productive, resilient orchards across Australia.

Currently, Australia relies on a narrow range of rootstocks, with limited local evaluation.

Meanwhile, leading avocado industries overseas have developed elite clonal rootstocks that deliver improved productivity, resilience, and uniformity.

Access to many of these rootstocks in Australia is constrained by regulatory, licensing, and commercial barriers. There is also limited data on how these rootstocks perform in Australia.

Why rootstock matters

Rootstocks play a fundamental role in avocado production, influencing:

• tree vigour
• yield consistency
• tolerance to disease and environmental stress
• water-use efficiency
• overall orchard lifespan.

A new project to overcome Australia’s rootstock challenges

Avocado Rootstock Variety Access (AV25002) is a new two-year national project funded by Hort Innovation in partnership with Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia.

The project aims to strengthen the Australian avocado industry by expanding access to high-performing rootstocks suited to our diverse growing conditions.

What the project will deliver

The project will:

• identify and prioritise key rootstock traits for Australia’s diverse growing regions.
• build a domestic rootstock performance database
• review and assess global rootstock options
• shortlist promising rootstocks for Australian conditions.
• develop pathways to access materials for future evaluation

The benefits for growers

The project will give growers:

• more rootstock options suited to your region
• an interactive decision-making tool matching rootstocks to climate and soil conditions
• improved confidence in planting decisions
• stronger, more resilient orchards
• improved yield, orchard health, and long-term profitability.

Your input is needed to build the rootstock database

The project will develop a comprehensive database of available avocado rootstocks, capturing their characteristics and performance across different growing regions.

Insights on rootstock use, performance, and experience across the industry is essential.

Complete the survey here to contribute your insights to this important initiative

Or scan the QR code:

 

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This article appears as part of the 3 July 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

New national pollination report and consultation now open

Australia’s first Pollination Security Status Report 2026 has been released, providing a national assessment of pollination security across agriculture, ecosystems, biodiversity and socio-cultural values.

The report establishes a baseline for how Australia’s pollination system is changing over time, drawing on new modelling, economic analysis and industry data.

Key findings

• Threats to pollination include habitat loss, climate change, land use change, pests and diseases, severe weather events, altered flowering patterns and other environmental stressors. These are compounded by structural pressures within the commercial beekeeping industry, including labour shortages, an ageing workforce, rising biosecurity requirements, imported adulterated honey and increasing varroa management costs.
• New modelling suggests Australia’s pollination system could face a potential shortfall of approximately 290,000 commercial honey bee hives during peak pollination periods under most likely future scenarios.
• Pollination security affects more than agriculture. It underpins food production, biodiversity, ecosystems and socio-cultural values.
• Pollination plays a vital role throughout Australia, supporting communities, diets, cultural practices, ecotourism and natural landscapes. It underpins everyday life in ways that are often unseen, yet essential. Many of these realities are difficult to quantify and are often undervalued.
• Australia lacks coordinated national monitoring systems for pollinators and pollination services. Significant knowledge gaps remain around feral honey bees, native pollinators and the broader impacts of pollinator decline.

What’s next?

The report will now inform the development of the Australian Pollination Strategy, which is entering its national consultation phase.

You’re invited to contribute

The Australian Pollination Strategy team is inviting input from everyone involved in pollination to help test findings, identify gaps and shape future priorities.

Read the report and contribute here

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This article appears as part of the 3 July 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

APVMA decision on paraquat and diquat

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) released its final decision on paraquat and diquat on 23 June, following a comprehensive 30-year review by the independent regulator.

The decision confirms that products containing paraquat and diquat will remain approved for use, subject to significant new restrictions on application rates and permitted uses.

New registration conditions will apply to the labels of all paraquat and diquat products manufactured from 23 June, while existing stock will be phased out during a two-year transition period. This transition period provides an important opportunity for industry to prepare for the new restrictions and the implementation of updated occupational health and safety measures.

Melons Australia will work closely with affected businesses, registrants and other stakeholders to determine where the lower application rates can continue to be used effectively and to identify alternatives where gaps arise.

The full decision can be found here final decision regarding paraquat and diquat.

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This article appears as part of the 3 July 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

A message from Bridie

Dear growers,

I wanted to let you know that I will be stepping away from my role and commencing extended leave from 7 July.

I have really valued working with so many of you over the past eight and a half years. I have learned a great deal from growers across the regions and have appreciated the relationships built throughout that time.

Thanks again, and I wish you, your businesses and the industry all the best.

Warm regards,
Bridie

Senior Development Horticulturist
Project Lead for the Avocado Industry Development and Extension Project (AV23010)

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This article appears as part of the 3 July 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

Applications are open for the Australia Grower Study Tour USA – closing 10 July

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), together with Hort Innovation, is accepting applications for the inaugural Australian Grower Study Tour headed to Florida in October. Applications close 10 July 2026.

The Global Grower Leaders Program will strengthen leadership capability within Australian horticulture through structured international industry engagement at the Global Produce and Floral Show 2026.

The program will provide exposure to global innovation, emerging technologies, sustainability initiatives, retail environments, international supply chains, and industry mentors.

Apply now

Key details

• Up to 10 Australian growers, places are limited
• Applications close 10 July 2026
• Opportunity to visit the Global Produce & Floral Show
• Alumni of the IFPA A-NZ Produce Executive Program (PEP) and/or levy funded growers will be considered favourably
• Recipients notified end of July

Visit the IFPA website for more information and to apply

Want to learn more? Come along to the webinar

Thinking about applying for the IFPA Australian Grower Study Tour to the USA?
Join Belinda Wilson, Managing Director IFPA A-NZ, and Tom McCue, R&D Manager, Hort Innovation for a short, informative webinar designed to give you everything you need to know before applications close on 10 July.

Whether you’re considering applying or sharing the opportunity with others, this session will provide a clear overview of the program and what’s involved.

If you can’t attend, don’t worry – we will be recording it, so make sure you register to receive the video post-session.

Webinar details

Date: Wednesday 8 July 2026
Time: 12.00pm – 12.30pm (AEST)
Registration: Free

Register for the webinar here

 

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This article appears as part of the 3 July 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

2026 WA Avocado Grower Regional Forum wrap-up

How can avocado growers improve productivity, strengthen fruit quality, and build more resilient orchards?

That was the focus of the WA Regional Avocado Forum this week, where growers, presenters, and industry stakeholders came together to share practical insights and industry updates on 24 June in Manjimup.

The agenda explored:

• national production, market growth and export trends, including the opportunities created by year-round Australian supply
• export development and the importance of consistency, quality and shelf-life tools to support premium fruit in market
• orchard performance, costs and profitability, with a focus on saleable trays, labour efficiency, fruit size and premium packout
• fruit robustness and how calcium, nitrogen balance and healthy root systems can influence fruit quality and resilience
• pollination research and practical approaches to supporting better yields in south-west WA.

Round robins and grower discussions throughout the day created valuable opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and sharing practical insights from across the region.

A big thank you to Vick Grozotis for hosting the orchard walk at Applewood Orchard, our speakers and organisers:

• Brad Rodgers
• Dario Stefanelli
• David Cook
• Declan McCauley
• Flora Zhang
• Gemma Burger
• Hayleigh Dawson
• James Beveridge
• Milton Bazley
• Rachelle Johnstone
• Shanara Veivers
• Stuart Irvine-Brown

And to everyone who came along to join the discussion!

Resources

You can now access the presentations and video recordings in our Best Practice Resource Library under Event Proceedings.

Acknowledgements
The forum was organised and delivered by the Avocado Industry Development and Extension Project team (AV23010), funded by Hort Innovation using the avocado research and development levy, co-investment from QDPI, WA DPIRD and NSW DPIRD, and contributions from the Australian Government.

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This article appears as part of the 3 July 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

New! Avocado levy activity quarterly update

Your guide to this quarter’s marketing activity ‘on a page’.

Download the Avocado levy activity marketing update (PDF)

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Acknowledgements

This activity is funded by Hort Innovation, using the avocado marketing levy.

 

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This article appears as part of the 3 July 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

Seasonal Climate Outlook for North Queensland (June report) now available

The Seasonal Climate Outlook for Tropical North Queensland (June 2026) is now available – provided by the Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub. This resource offers insights to support growers, advisors, and industry stakeholders with seasonal planning and risk management.

Prepared by Prof Roger Stone and Dr Christa Pudmenzky, the outlook reviews a range of established and emerging climate forecasting systems and highlights several key climate signals, including:

• An El Niño has now developed, with a mixed rainfall outlook forecast across Tropical North Queensland for the June to August period. Above-average rainfall probabilities are expected for parts of the Far North Tropical Coast, particularly around Innisfail, while close to normal or below normal conditions are forecast for much of the remainder of the region.
• The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) is now in a consistently negative phase, reflecting the developing El Niño pattern. The next Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) event is expected around mid-July and may increase the likelihood of rainfall across the region in the short term.
• Longer-term forecasting models indicate an increased likelihood of drier conditions later in the year, with low rainfall probabilities forecast for much of Tropical North Queensland during the winter–spring period.

Growers and industry partners can review the full report here and consider how seasonal climate signals may inform planning for the months ahead.

Subscribe and learn more

• Visit the TNQ Drought Hub for more information
• Subscribe to the TNQ Hub Newsletter here

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This article appears as part of the 19 June 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

Secure your place at the Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) Symposium and Field Visit on 25–26 June 2026 in Cairns and Mareeba.

Join researchers, growers, and industry leaders as we explore this promising climate smart innovation aimed at transforming Australian agriculture.

Why the ERW project matters

Australia’s transition to net zero depends on scalable, nature-based solutions. Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) offers promising potential to contribute to national climate goals while also improving agricultural productivity. This project aims to:

• Facilitate information sharing: Create an interdisciplinary space for knowledge exchange between national and international researchers, growers, industry leaders, and climate practitioners.
• Foster land management practice change: Identify pathways for responsible, large‑scale ERW implementation across Australia’s diverse cropping systems.
• Support sustainable agriculture: Validate the benefits of ERW such as long term carbon sequestration and improved soil health for growers.

These connections are vital for shaping the future of climate-smart agriculture across the region using ERW.

Event details

Symposium – Cairns (25 June)

Dive into emerging ERW science, soil health insights, and pathways for carbon dioxide removal.

Field visit – Mareeba (26 June)

See ERW in action on an avocado farm trial site and hear directly from farmers and researchers.

Connect and collaborate

Build relationships across research, agriculture, and industry to help shape the future of sustainable farming.

Learn more and register for the events

Visit the ERW website to learn more and register

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This article appears as part of the 19 June 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

Shepard season ends on a high

Now that the Australian Shepard season has concluded, it’s time to review the overall quality of exported Shepard avocados.

Across the 2026 season, the Avocado International Retail Quality Benchmarking project (AV24015) collected and assessed 69 samples, which achieved an average acceptability rate of 98% – an excellent result (Figure 1).

Quality was strong across both monitored markets, with Hong Kong recording 99% acceptable fruit and Kuala Lumpur slightly lower at 94%.

Quality monitoring will continue across Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, with four samples collected weekly from major retailers in each city.

Project showcased at Avo Connections 2026

AHR’s Adam Goldwater presented results from the project, focusing on benchmarking Australian avocado quality against competitor countries in the key export markets of Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

The presentation was an opportunity to introduce the project to the broader industry and showcase some of the initial results gathered since monitoring began. Key topics covered included:

• a project overview and introduction
• Hass and Shepard quality results to date across Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur
• an overview of the key defects affecting fruit quality
• high level supply chain observations.

Among the results presented was the continued strong performance of Australian Hass against competitor fruit in both Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

Between November 2025 and May 2026, Australian Hass achieved an average acceptability rate of 91%, compared to just 67% for competitor fruit collected over the same period.

A key driver of this difference was rot levels, with Australian fruit consistently showing fewer unacceptable rots than competitor samples. This aligns with findings from the domestic avocado quality project (AV22011), with Australian Hass also showing fewer rots than imported fruit domestically.

In the export markets, fruit age is likely a contributing factor, with Australian Hass averaging 25 days from packing at the point of purchase, compared to 32 days for competitor fruit.

More information

For more information, email Henry Hyde at mailto:henry.hyde@ahr.com.au or Adam Goldwater at adam.goldwater@ahr.com.au.

Acknowledgements

The Avocado International Retail Quality Benchmarking project (AV24015 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.

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This article appears as part of the 19 June 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.