Quality monitoring in Kuala Lumpur

Avo quality monitoring is underway in Kuala Lumpur!

Weekly quality monitoring is now underway in Kuala Lumpur as part of the Avocado International Retail Quality Benchmarking project (AV24015) to benchmark Australian avocado quality against competitor countries in the key export markets of Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.

During a recent visit, the project team trained local samplers in the correct procedures for collecting, handling and assessing avocados, before overseeing the first round of collections and assessments.

Pictured: AHR project staff performing in-store and firmness assessment training.

These samplers will now conduct weekly quality monitoring in Kuala Lumpur supermarkets as part of this comprehensive two-year benchmarking program.

The project team also met with key retailers, including representatives from Jaya Grocer, Village Grocer, and AEON. These meetings provided an opportunity to introduce the project and share the strong quality results observed to date.

Throughout the life of the project, the team will continue to engage with key retailers across both Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, sharing quality results and working collaboratively to identify strategies to improve the performance of exported Australian avocados.

Pictured: Project team meeting with Village Grocer staff.

Exported Shepard quality remains high

Australian Shepard avocados in Hong Kong have maintained strong quality throughout April, with all 9 samples having 100% acceptable fruit (fewer than 10% internal defects).

Sampling of Australian Shepard avocados began in Kuala Lumpur on 14 April 2026, with results to be shared with the relevant exporters shortly. As more samples are collected across both markets, future articles will discuss any quality differences observed between them.

Quality monitoring will continue in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, with four samples collected weekly from major retailers in each city. Project progress will continue to be shared via monthly Guacamole summaries and Talking Avocados articles and presented at regional forums and webinars.

More information

For further details email Henry Hyde or Adam Goldwater at AHR.

Acknowledgements

The project Avocado International Retail Quality Benchmarking (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.

This article appears as part of the 24 April 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.