Torres Strait exotic fruit fly eradication program extended

 

The National Exotic Fruit Fly in Torres Strait Eradication Program has been extended to June 2027, with an additional $3.1 million in funding to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity protections.

The program targets three exotic fruit fly species – oriental, melon and New Guinea fruit fly – which are present in nearby Papua New Guinea and pose a major threat to Australia’s horticulture industry. These pests can destroy a wide range of fruit and vegetable crops by laying eggs inside fruit, causing it to rot and become unmarketable.

The Torres Strait is considered a key entry point, with Papua New Guinea’s Western Province located just 3.6 km from Saibai Island. Exotic fruit flies can enter the region via seasonal winds or through the movement of produce and vessels.

First established in 1996 following an oriental fruit fly outbreak in Cairns, the program works to prevent these pests from establishing in Australia through activities such as trapping, baiting and strict movement controls on potential pathways for introduction.

The latest funding extension will support enhanced eradication activities on Badu Island, following two seasons of increased exotic fruit fly detections.

The program is delivered on the ground by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy within the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and is funded through the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed partnership between governments and industry.

Everyone has a role to play in protecting Australia from fruit fly. Travellers are reminded that fruit and vegetables cannot be brought into Australia without the appropriate permits, and home gardeners and growers are encouraged to inspect fruit trees regularly and report suspected exotic fruit fly to the Emergency Plant Pest Hotline (1800 084 881).

👉 More information about the program and how to identify exotic fruit flies is available at outbreak.gov.au.

 

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This article appears as part of the 13 March 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

Save the date: Avo Connections 2026 !

 

Avo Connections, the annual forum for the Australian avocado industry, will return in 2026 alongside Hort Connections in Adelaide.

Bringing together growers, supply chain partners and industry experts, the event will provide an opportunity to hear the latest industry updates, market insights and emerging trends shaping the future of Australian avocados. Avo Connections continues to be a valuable forum for the industry to connect, share knowledge and explore opportunities for growth.

📍 Adelaide Convention Centre
📅 Monday 1 June 2026

Held at the same venue as Hort Connections, Avo Connections provides the perfect opportunity for avocado growers and industry members attending the conference to come together for a dedicated avocado-focused session.

More information, including the speaker program and registration details, will be announced soon.

In the meantime, mark the date in your diary and stay tuned for further updates!

New Impact Update event to showcase levy-funded innovation at Hort Connections

 

Hort Innovation will also host an inaugural Impact Update event ahead of Hort Connections 2026, providing growers with a practical overview of how levy investments are delivering outcomes across Australian horticulture.

Taking place on Monday 1 June 2026 (after Avo Connections 2026) the event will showcase research and development outcomes, grower-led success stories and innovations that are helping improve productivity, profitability and sustainability across the sector.

📅 Monday, June 1, 2026 | 3–5pm, networking to follow
📍 Near the Adelaide Convention Centre

The two-hour session will bring together growers, researchers and industry leaders to explore how research is translating into practical on-farm solutions. This new event will give a fast, practical look at how your levy investments are delivering real impact on farm.

The event takes place the day before the main Hort Connections program begins.

Growers interested in attending are encouraged to register their interest here – with further event details and formal invitations to follow.

 

 

 

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This article appears as part of the 13 March 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

Reminder: R&D Tax Incentive application deadline approaching

 

There’s positive news for levy payers, with Hort Innovation now registered with AusIndustry as a Research Service Provider (RSP). This means Hort Innovation is recognised to undertake research and development (R&D) activities on behalf of levy payers, and that some levy-funded R&D projects may be eligible for tax offsets under the Australian Government’s R&D Tax Incentive.

The R&D Tax Incentive provides a tax offset for eligible R&D activities and expenditure, supporting businesses that invest in developing new knowledge, processes or products. It is important to note that not all levy-funded activities qualify as R&D under the program.

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Making a claim

Applications for the R&D Tax Incentive are managed through the AusIndustry registration process and the ATO R&D schedule in your tax return. To support levy payers preparing their applications, Hort Innovation has developed industry-specific resources including project descriptions outlining the relevant R&D activities and the percentage of eligible R&D activity that can be applied to levy payments for the financial year.

These project descriptions provide key information about the scope and purpose of levy-funded R&D activities delivered by Hort Innovation and can assist levy payers when preparing their Application for Registration of R&D Activities.

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Next steps

Levy payers interested in submitting an application can register their interest to receive the relevant supporting documentation.

➡️ Complete the Expression of Interest form HERE
⏰ Important: Applications for FY2025 activities must be lodged with AusIndustry by 30 April 2026.

Levy payers should seek independent financial or taxation advice to determine eligibility and assist with the application process.

More detailed information about eligibility and the application process is available on the ATO R&D Tax Incentive webpage ➡️ HERE

 

 

 

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This article appears as part of the 13 March 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

Extension Events Coming Soon

 

The AV23010 extension project team continues to roll out practical learning opportunities for growers across the country, with a strong focus on fruit robustness, nutrition and yield consistency. As part of their ongoing commitment to delivering regionally relevant extension activities, several upcoming events — including hands-on nutrition workshops, spray application training and grower regional forums — are coming up soon.

 

TRISTATE Practical Workshops — Nutrition & Fruit Quality

Growers are invited to attend practical nutrition and fruit quality workshops in Red Cliffs and Waikerie on 18 March, delivered by the AV23010 project team with technical support from Dr Stuart Irvine Brown (Queensland DPI) from the Growing Robust Avocados (AV21005) project team.

These hands-on sessions will cover key nutrition messages from the 2025 nutrition forum, nitrogen management strategies, results from the Tristate fruit skin nutrient survey, and practical demonstrations including real-time nitrogen and calcium testing. Participants will also explore soil suction tubes, crop removal rates, and best practice leaf analysis timing.

📍 Red Cliffs | Hardie’s farm — 18 March, 9:00am–11:00am
📍 Waikerie | Loffler’s farm — 18 March, 3:00pm–5:00pm

Places are limited, so early registration is encouraged.
👉 Reserve your spot HERE or contact Tristate regional lead Steven Falivene 📞 0427 208 611 📩 steven.falivene@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

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South QLD Grower Regional Forum — Yield Consistency & Quality

South Queensland avocado growers, orchard managers and teams are invited to attend the South QLD Avocado Grower Regional Forum, focusing on yield consistency and fruit quality.

📅 Wednesday 25 March 2026
⏰ 7:30am–3:45pm
📍 Highfields Cultural Centre, Highfields

The forum will provide technical updates, practical insights and opportunities for discussion, with registration free and refreshments provided. To ensure growers remain the majority in attendance, reseller registrations are limited to two representatives per organisation.

👉 Find registration and agenda details HERE
For more information contact South Queensland regional lead Shanara Veivers 📞0408 371 054 📩 shanara.veivers@dpi.qld.gov.au.

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Tristate Grower Regional Forum — Yield Consistency & Quality

Tristate region avocado growers, orchard managers and teams are invited to attend the Tristate Avocado Grower Regional Forum, focusing on yield consistency and fruit quality.

📅 29 April 2026
⏰ 7:30am–3:45pm
📍 Hotel Renmark, Renmark

The forum will provide technical updates, practical insights and opportunities for discussion, with registration free and refreshments provided. Registration and agenda details will be coming soon. For more information contact Tristate regional lead Steven Falivene 📞0427 208 611 📩 steven.falivene@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

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South QLD Avocado Sprayer Workshop

South Queensland growers and orchard teams are invited to attend a practical Avocado Sprayer Workshop focused on improving spray application effectiveness and efficiency in avocado orchards.

The workshop will provide practical guidance on spray technology, calibration and best practice application techniques to help maximise pest and disease control while improving spray coverage and reducing chemical waste.

📅 Friday 8 May 2026
📍 South Queensland

👉 Find out more and register HERE

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This article appears as part of the 13 March 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

📝How Grower Members Can Access the Benefit

This benefit is available exclusively to current Avocados Australia Grower Members.

Grower members can contact Teleo Immigration Lawyers directly on 📞 (02) 8080 3840 to arrange the complimentary consultation. Teleo will notify Avocados Australia once the appointment is booked (with the grower’s authorisation), and membership status will be confirmed prior to the consultation.

Growers employing overseas workers — or considering visa sponsorship options — are encouraged to take advantage of this new member benefit !

 

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This article appears as part of the 13 March 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

North Queensland Shepard season starts strong while Australian Hass quality remains high

 

Australian Hass avocados were 94% acceptable in February, exceeding the 90% industry target. This is a slight decrease in quality from January, which had 97% acceptable fruit. The primary causes of unacceptable fruit were bruising and rots (Figure 1).

Out of the 53 10-fruit samples that were collected and assessed in February, only three had less than 90% acceptable fruit, with two of these samples originating from Perth stores. The poor performance of these two stores impacted the overall quality of fruit in Perth, lowering acceptable fruit levels from 97% to 83%. The remaining Perth stores, as well as the other cities sampled across Australia had very high-quality fruit. The acceptability of fruit was 98% in Brisbane and Sydney, and 99% in Melbourne – an excellent result for Australian Hass.

The first North Queensland Shepard of the season was sampled in Brisbane on 20 February 2026, with five samples collected and assessed. All Shepards were of acceptable quality, representing a very strong start to the 2026 season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1. Major defects in Australian grown Hass (January 2026 and February 2026).

 

Central Queensland Shepard maturity monitoring begins with first sample exceeding standard

 

The AV22011 wholesale maturity monitoring program continued through February and into March, with 12 samples of North Queensland Shepard and 1 sample of Central Queensland Shepard collected since the 10^th of February. All samples exceeded the minimum 21% dry matter standard, with results ranging from 21% to 29% (Figure 2).

Maturity monitoring of North Queensland Shepard will cease due to sampled fruit consistently exceeding the 21% dry matter standard. The maturity monitoring program will now focus primarily on Central Queensland Shepard.

Well done to growers Avo North, B.W & T.T Canniford, Ceres Avocados, DBC Farming, Delais Orchards, Gorge Creek Orchards, Gunnado Farming, Leadwood, Obie Fresh, Priceless Produce, Red Valley Farms, Reidy’s Avocado and U & V & E & C Quintieri whose fruit was sampled and exceeded the minimum maturity standard in this round.

To ensure consumers have the best eating experience, ensure that fruit you harvest meets the minimum dry matter standards of 21% for Shepard and 23% for Hass. Continue to monitor your dry matter levels as your harvest progresses.

 

Figure 2. Shepard dry matter levels by growing region (February and March 2026).

 

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This article appears as part of the 13 March 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

Australian avocado industry strengthens Malaysia partnerships

 

Avocados Australia has taken another step in strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia, signing new partnership agreements with Monash University Malaysia and University of Wollongong (UOW) Malaysia during a ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur on 4 March 2026.

The agreements were announced as part of the “Taste the Season: Australian Avocados from Orchard to Asia” event series, which brought together Australian growers, exporters, universities and supply chain partners from across Malaysia.

The signing formalises a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Monash University Malaysia focused on nutrition education and research engagement, alongside a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with UOW Malaysia under the Australian Fruits Culinary Training Program funded by the ASEAN-Australia Centre.

Australia’s avocado exports reached 18,487 tonnes in 2025, valued at more than AUD $99 million, with Asian markets continuing to show strong growth.

Malaysia is currently one of the industry’s top three export destinations, with Australian avocados maintaining approximately 70 per cent market share in the market.

Through the partnership with Monash University Malaysia, Avocados Australia will work with academic experts to support evidence-based nutrition messaging and student engagement, helping build awareness of the health benefits of avocados among future health professionals.

Meanwhile, collaboration with UOW Malaysia will strengthen the culinary application of Australian produce through industry workshops and training activities delivered under the Australian Fruits Culinary Training Program.

The program is supported by internationally recognised chef Audra Morrice, who serves as Culinary Ambassador for the initiative and works with culinary institutions across Southeast Asia.

Following the signing ceremony, Avocados Australia hosted a seasonal workshop and networking dinner with Malaysian importers, distributors and retailers to discuss the upcoming avocado season. The session included supply outlook presentations, exporter discussions and practical demonstrations on avocado ripeness and handling.

The event concluded with a buka puasa dinner, reflecting the importance of cultural engagement during Ramadan while highlighting the versatility of avocados across a range of culinary applications.

Avocados Australia’s Southeast Asia program continues to focus on strengthening relationships across the supply chain while supporting long-term growth of the Australian avocado category in the region.

 

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This article appears as part of the 13 March 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

Shepard campaign delivering strong reach

 

The Shepard avocado seasonal campaign is now in full swing, with marketing activity rolling out nationally across multiple media channels to keep Australian avocados front-of-mind with consumers.

The campaign is running across broadcast TV, digital TV, paid social media, outdoor advertising, broadcast and digital audio, and retail online media, supported by targeted messaging highlighting the unique qualities of Shepard avocados and encouraging Australians to enjoy them while they are in season.

Earned media activity kicked off in late February, including the National Toast Day collaboration with chef Darren Robertson, encouraging consumers to get creative with their avo toast. The activity included a feature on The Morning Show and coverage across food and lifestyle media outlets.

Click on the Preview Image Below to Watch the Morning Show Segment

Early results from the campaign are strong, with 35 media placements generating more than 21.5 million opportunities to see, helping drive awareness and consideration among Australian consumers.

Australian Avocados’ social media channels are also continuing to highlight the versatility of avocados through recipe content and chef collaborations. Recent content featuring chefs Darren Robertson and Tom Walton has delivered strong engagement, with the Avo Toast Like a Pro series generating more than 315,000 views and over 5,000 interactions.

More insights into the broader FY26 domestic marketing strategy and upcoming campaigns will be featured in the Autumn edition of Talking Avocados.

 

 

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This article appears as part of the 13 March 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.