Avocados Australia joins delegates at NFF Leaders Summit

Last week, Avocados Australia CEO Milton Bazley and Market Development Manager Hayleigh Dawson attended the National Farmers’ Federation’s 2026 Leaders’ Summit, The National Table. The summit brought together farmers, industry leaders and policymakers came to examine agriculture’s growing role in shaping national priorities.

Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry the Hon Julie Collins MP, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, and other key delegates were in attendance across the event’s proceedings.

Minister Collins addressed the Summit, congratulating the sector on surpassing $100 billion in agricultural production four years ahead of schedule and announcing consultation on a domestic low carbon liquid fuels industry, alongside the Government’s $14 billion Fuel Resilience Package and continued biosecurity investment.

An opportunity to reflect on what’s next

Growing through uncertainty

The summit was structured around four key sessions. The first, growing through uncertainty, looked at productivity and the next phase of growth, exploring how agriculture can keep growing in a less predictable operating environment.

The second session examined ‘an uncertain world’ – the implications of geopolitical tension, trade disruption, strategic competition and global instability for Australian agriculture.

Shared ground

The third, shared ground, considered how agriculture, energy transition, housing and critical minerals increasingly intersect and compete for land use across regional Australia.

Trust, expectations and the industry’s place

The final session was about trust, expectations and agriculture’s place. It explored how the sector is viewed in a changing society and how it can continue to build influence, trust and relevance in national conversations.

The day concluded with celebrations at Parliament House’s Great Hall, where the Prime Minister delivered an address marking the milestone.

The Prime Minister highlighted the scale of the sector’s growth since the $100 billion target was first set in 2018, when the industry was worth $60 billion. He pointed to the following commodities contributing to an overall increase of more than $42 billion:

• horticulture up 59 per cent
• grain production up 128 per cent
• cattle up 83 per cent
• sheep up 70 per cent

The evening reception brought together industry and government to celebrate the achievement, and encouraged attendees to look ahead to the next chapter for agriculture.

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This article appears as part of the 27 August 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

Central Qld pollination management workshop wrap-up

What’s the secret to better fruit set in Central Queensland avocado orchards? A big part of the answer lies with pollinators, and growers got a first-hand look at the science and strategies behind them at a practical pollination workshop in Givelda on 5 August, 2026.

The event, hosted at Donovan Farms, brought together 31 participants, including 19 growers from 11 avocado-related businesses, plus visitors from the macadamia industry, for a day that covered:

• avocado and macadamia pollination biology
• managed fly pollination and what it could mean for growers
• the role of native pollinators in commercial orchards
• habitat augmentation strategies to support pollinator populations
• what Varroa mite means for the future of pollination services.

An orchard walk rounded out the day, giving growers hands-on examples of pollinator-friendly orchard design and habitat management in action.

A special thank you

A big thank you to everyone who came along and contributed to the discussion, to Donovan Farms for hosting the orchard walk, and to our presenters Cameron Spurr, Raylea Rowbottom, David Cook, Michelle Meidecke, Romina Rader and Sarah Hickman.

Access the resources

You can download all of the resources from the workshop in our Best Practice Resource library under ‘Event proceedings’.

Grower events in 2027

Planning is already underway for next year’s grower events, and grower input helps shape what comes next. If you’ve got feedback on this event or ideas for future topics, get in touch with Renata Grunennvaldt, Central Qld Regional Lead, QDPI, on 0475 855 445 or renata.grunennvaldt@dpi.qld.gov.au.

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 and contributions from the Australian Government.

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This article appears as part of the 27 August 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

Greetings from Hong Kong!

Australian avocados are joining growers, packers, shippers and technology providers from across Asia will showcase their latest developments, smart solutions and new products at Asia Fruit Logistica next week – an event designed to open opportunities and expand into new markets.

If you’re attending the conference, come and visit the Australian Avocados exhibit, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet Australian growers, learn more about the country’s growing regions and year-round supply, and see fresh Australian avocados on display.

Koala paw activation makes its trade debut

Making its debut for trade audiences, the popular Koala Paw activation will bring a flavour of our consumer marketing to the exhibition floor, creating a fun and memorable way to engage with buyers and trade partners.

Visitors to the Australian Avocados stand will have the opportunity to receive an Australian Avocados-branded koala plushie, creating a memorable Australian experience that helps draw attendees to the stand and supports conversations with key trade partners.

The activation is designed to spark conversations, drive booth traffic and create opportunities to connect with buyers from across the region.

Avo’ breakfast with us

Avocados Australia will host a networking breakfast on 3 September, featuring the latest Australian avocado industry updates, a preview of its new global brand direction and international marketing campaign, and avocado-inspired dishes showcasing the versatility of Australian avocados.

Importers, retailers, foodservice professionals and industry stakeholders with an interest in Australian avocados are encouraged to attend.

Meet the speaker

Finally, be sure to catch our export Manager, Flora Zhang, at the Showcase stage on Wednesday 2 September, from 11-11:30am.

Flora will share an update on the industry’s export journey – from its expanding international footprint to the markets best positioned for future growth.

As Australian avocados presence grows across Asia and beyond, Flora will explain how the next chapter isn’t just about retail, it’s about creating new ways for consumers to experience them through innovative culinary and dining experiences.

More information

Contact Flora Zhang at export@avocado.org.au

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This article appears as part of the 27 August 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

From toast to table: Benjamin Cooper’s masterclass to flip the script on avocado

Fine Food Australia – the nation’s ultimate B2B food event – kicks off in Melbourne next week, where Australian Avocados will host a daily educational masterclass with acclaimed chef, Benjamin Cooper.

Participants will discover practical techniques, handling tips and menu ideas to help hospitality operators unlock greater versatility, value and creativity from one of Australia’s hardest-working ingredients.

The masterclass will explore the full potential of Australian avocados. Through two unexpected dishes, Benjamin will demonstrate how avocado’s natural fats and creaminess elevate both savoury and sweet applications.

Get a taste of Benjamin Cooper’s culinary creations on Instagram

Acknowledgements

The Avocados FY26 foodservice program – educational masterclasses (AV25003) has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the avocado industry research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.

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This article appears as part of the 27 August 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

Avocado quality dips slightly in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur

Weekly quality monitoring has continued in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong as part of the Avocado International Retail Quality Benchmarking project (AV24015).

In July, Australian avocados in Hong Kong were 89% acceptable, falling below the industry target of 90% acceptable fruit for the first time since monitoring began in November 2025 (Figure 1).

An increase in flesh discolouration was the main cause of quality decline, alongside a smaller increase in rots. The cause of the rise in these defects is unclear, as the average fruit age (a contributing factor to rot and flesh discolouration severity) was similar to June.

Poor temperature management throughout the supply chain may have contributed to the increase in these defects. This will be investigated in supply chain studies later in this project.

Non-Australian fruit was 95% acceptable, outperforming Australian fruit. The first sample of Mexican fruit was sampled in July, with the remainder of non-Australian fruit being Peruvian.

In Kuala Lumpur, Australian avocados were 91% acceptable, remaining above the industry target and comparable to June (Figure 1).

In contrast with June, more fruit was rendered unacceptable due to a combination of defects making the total damage unacceptably high rather than any single defect being present at unacceptable levels.

The first sample of non-Australian fruit in Kuala Lumpur was collected in July, originating from the USA, and was 100% acceptable.

Quality monitoring will continue across Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, with four samples collected weekly from major retailers in each city. Project updates will be shared regularly through monthly Guacamole summaries and Talking Avocados articles, as well as at regional forums and webinars.

More information

For further details please contact Henry Hyde at henry.hyde@ahr.com.au or Adam Goldwater at adam.goldwater@ahr.com.au.

Acknowledgement

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.

New dashboard to help identify shared investment opportunities across horticulture

Hort Innovation is nearing completion of a new Horticulture Investment Roadmap Dashboard that will make it easier for growers, peak industry bodies and industry stakeholders to see how levy investments align with industry priorities and identify opportunities for greater collaboration across horticulture.

The dashboard – which is part of the strategic Horticulture Investment Roadmap refresh, which aims to maximise value from the $85 million annual horticulture investment portfolio, supporting more coordinated and purposeful decisions across research, development and marketing investments – was previewed with peak industry body representatives at the 2026 Peak Industry Body Forum in Melbourne, alongside an update on the new Investment Roadmaps.

A one-stop-shop for investment information

Developed in response to industry feedback calling for a simpler, clearer and more accessible approach to investment planning, the dashboard brings together information that has traditionally been spread across multiple Annual Investment Plan and Strategic Investment Plan documents into a single interactive platform.

What the dashboard will offer

Through the dashboard, users will be able to explore industry priorities, view initiatives by industry and segment, identify common challenges and opportunities, see where levy funds are being invested, and access levy fund financial forecasts. By bringing this information together in one place, the dashboard helps industry and Hort Innovation identify where investments can be better aligned to deliver greater value and impact.

A key feature of the dashboard is its ability to provide both an all-of-horticulture view and detailed industry-specific views. This allows users a better understanding of where priorities overlap across industries and where collaboration could deliver greater returns for growers.

Industry welcomes greater visibility and collaboration

Andrew Francey, General Manager Industry Service and Delivery at Hort Innovation, reflected on the response from industry representatives: “Ultimately, the Roadmaps and dashboard help us take a more strategic view of the entire horticulture investment portfolio, ensuring we get the greatest possible value and impact from industry’s investments. At the PIB Forum, this opportunity was clear and there was a positive sentiment in the room during the demonstration, with many industry representatives excited by the opportunities this tool creates.

“For the first time, industries will be able to easily identify where priorities align and have more informed conversations about partnering their levy investments to achieve larger, shared benefits for growers and the broader horticulture sector.”

Supporting future investment decisions

Looking ahead, the dashboard will serve as a practical planning tool to help Hort Innovation and industry identify common priorities more quickly and use these insights to support future investment scoping, collaboration and decision making.

For Hort Innovation, Strategic Investment Advisory Panels and peak industry bodies, the dashboard will also support more informed discussions about how best to respond to grower needs and deliver impact through levy investments.

“The dashboard provides a level of visibility and transparency that will help drive more strategic discussions about future investment opportunities, making it a game changer for the whole industry,” concluded Mr Francey.

Launch and training

The Horticulture Investment Roadmap is expected to be available via the Hort Innovation website from September 30, 2026, with online training resources to be made available ahead of launch.

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This article appears as part of the 14 August 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

Driving demand for Australian avocados

Your marketing levy is funding a national campaign to keep Australian Avocados top of mind when fruit is on shelf.

What’s in market this year?

• Television and Online video (YouTube, Netflix, Amazon) share the message that Australian Avocados are delicious and nutritious.
• Outdoor advertising near supermarkets to influence purchase at the shelf.
• Radio advertising including a Coles radio spike, extends reach into commuting, on-the-go and shopping moments ensuring consumers encounter avocado messaging across multiple touchpoints throughout their day.
• Social media (Meta and TikTok) using creators and branded content to build awareness of avocados as tasty, healthy and versatile.
• Retail media on Woolworths and Coles websites and in-store point of sale to drive conversion.
• Earned media spike to drive top-of-mind awareness and relevance of Australian Avocados.

Education campaign – Are You Bruisin’ While Choosin’

The simple, memorable “the neck’s where to check” messaging will be amplified across social media and YouTube via the music video with World Strongman Eddie as well as retail touchpoints (in-store radio, in-store point of sale) to teach consumers at the shelf the correct way to check an avocado for ripeness.

Foodservice program

The R&D and Marketing levies are also supporting foodservice engagement to grow avocado use in restaurants, cafes and more. This season’s focus includes:

• Delivering a hands-on masterclass for chefs and foodservice operators at leading foodservice tradeshow Fine Food Australia.
• Amplifying quality, versatility and provenance through social media, PR and tradeshows.
• Driving adoption of Australian avocados on menus via inspiration and education content.

Acknowledgements

Issued on behalf of Hort Innovation: This project is funded by Hort Innovation, using the avocado marketing levy.

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This article appears as part of the 14 August 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

Take your idea further with the Australian-grown innovation Build Program

Ready to move beyond ideas and start testing real solutions in your business or across the horticulture industry?

Australian-Grown Innovation is a Hort Innovation Frontiers program designed to support growers, value chain partners, and innovators to turn validated ideas into practical, in-market outcomes.

The Build Program is a 12-week, hands-on program focused on execution.

It helps participants trial, pilot, and refine solutions with real industry application.

Why take part?

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• work closely with mentors and industry experts
• connect with key stakeholders across the horticulture ecosystem
• build solutions that can deliver real impact on-farm and across the supply chain.

How to get involved

If you or someone in your network is ready to take the next step, submit an expression of interest for the Build Program here.

 

 

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This article appears as part of the 14 August 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

New immersive picker and packer training available to the avocado industry

Two purpose-built immersive training programs are now available for avocado picking and packhouse operations.

Delivered through VR, the training allows workers to experience realistic orchard and packhouse scenarios in a safe, controlled and repeatable environment.

Why use VR?

Rather than relying solely on classroom instruction or on-the-job demonstration, workers can:

• actively practice key tasks
• make decisions
• build familiarity with correct processes before applying them in the workplace.

Research into immersive learning has shown that VR learners can be:

• trained up to four times faster than in the classroom
• four times more focused than e-learning learners
• feel significantly more confident applying what they have learned.

This makes VR particularly well suited to operational environments where businesses need to train seasonal and changing workforces quickly and consistently.

The approach:

• provides avocado businesses with a consistent standard of training across workers, sites and seasons
• makes it easier to onboard new and seasonal staff at scale.

The modules

The picker and packer programs:

• focus on the practices that have the greatest influence on fruit quality
• help reduce avoidable handling damage and improve consistency through the supply chain.

The training can be accessed through VR headset packages, with mobile and tablet access also available.

Learn more and get access

Learn more about the picker and packer programs and how your business can access the training on the Reservoir Partners website.

Acknowledgement

The Australian Avocado Industry Virtual Reality Training Program (AV24010) has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the avocado industry research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.

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This article appears as part of the 14 August 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.