Avocado Ripeness Scanner Hits National TV

An Australian-first in-store avocado ripeness scanner trial – delivered through the Monitoring avocado supply chain quality project (AV22011) – has stepped into the national spotlight, featuring on Nine’s Today Show and highlighting how industry-led innovation is improving the consumer experience.

Led by Avocados Australia in collaboration with Applied Horticultural Research and Dutch agri-tech company OneThird, the trial reflects a coordinated industry effort to address an important consumer and supply chain challenge.

During the segment, Avocados Australia’s Market Development Manager Hayleigh Dawson demonstrated the scanner live on air, explaining how the technology works and its potential benefits for both consumers and the industry.

The scanner uses near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to rapidly and non-destructively assess avocado firmness, providing shoppers with clear guidance on when fruit will be ready to eat, along with storage recommendations. This helps remove the guesswork for consumers and reduces the need to squeeze fruit, a major cause of bruising.

Finding a perfectly ripe avocado remains one of the biggest challenges for consumers, with research showing around 75% are looking for fruit ready to eat within two days. At the same time, nearly half of shoppers squeeze multiple avocados before purchasing, contributing to unnecessary damage and waste.

The trial is also showing how the device can generate valuable real-time data and insights for retailers, helping to monitor fruit firmness on shelf, improve merchandising strategies and reduce waste. Early results show strong engagement, with the scanner being used on approximately 45% of avocados sold in participating stores each week.

This trial highlights how collaborative innovation across the industry is supporting better quality outcomes, improving the retail experience and helping to drive domestic demand for Australian avocados.

📺 Watch the Today Show coverage: bit.ly/4lztaV4
🔗 Read the full media release: bit.ly/47Jf1yT

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