The base exporters are coming off in China is small with only 28,000 trays sent in last year’s inaugural shipment out of a total of three million trays, NZ Avocado chief executive Jen Scoular said.
“The two big exporters there, Avoco and Just Avocados, are very much continuing to build their relationships in that market.
“It will take time and we expect there will be plenty of learnings for the next few years yet.”
China is very much a new experience for the industry, being the first large market NZ has entered when there are already larger exporters including Mexico, Peru and Chile established there.
Growth of the fruit’s sales in China has been phenomenal, going from only four tonnes in 2008 to 43,589 tonnes last year.
NZ has tended to be higher priced than fruit from the large competing countries and marketing emphasis has been on NZ avocado’s bigger size.
“But you do have to prove that you can earn that premium and we had a challenge last year quality-wise.”
Avoco director Alistair Young said fruit volumes this year are up about 20% on last year but are well off the highs of three years ago.
“This makes it tough as you develop markets and generate demand but risk lacking the fruit to supply them.”
Despite the lack of rain most orchards have managed the dry with irrigation and fruit size early in the season from those orchards is looking good. With about 70% of the crop coming from Bay of Plenty most orchardists are busy harvesting their first crop pick with good pack-out rates for export fruit.
Avoco is waiting for final Chinese clearance from that country’s customs authorities before exports for the new season begin.
“We will be shipping on a weekly basis just as soon as that comes through.”
He is optimistic the early gains made in China last season will be built on.
“It is a fabulous growing market and we just need to look after it.
“Demand worldwide is growing for avocados and it is just a matter of being able to keep up and keep fruit flow into outlets sensible and smooth.”
The extended dry winter has generally been a positive for most growers with the lack of moisture helping keep troublesome fungal infestations like drosophila at bay after two difficult years of infection.
Whangarei grower Roger Barber said the drier weather is, however, reflected in smaller fruit, which, for him is back by at least one size or 10-15% on what it could have been.
“We are getting rain now and that may be a bit late to influence the size at this stage.
“From now on we really hope for a dry period over harvesting otherwise the moisture levels influence the keeping quality of the fruit.”
He feels prices have been relatively good so far early in the season on the domestic market and it is still early days for export prices.
He expects fruit volumes in the biennial crop are going to be close to average this year and definitely up on last year’s tight volumes.
North of Barber there have been significant areas of avocados planted and confidence is strong.
Future growth in the Far North will depend on water take analysis being done to determine how much the valuable Aupouri aquifer can be tapped for irrigation without damaging it and causing salt water intrusion.
In Bay of Plenty NZ Avocado board member Maria Watchorn said despite the dry conditions careful irrigation application this year has ensured her crop is exhibiting good size and quality, with a high proportion making export grade.
“We have tried to mitigate as much as we can and being fully consented for water take have managed by watering when necessary.”
Her orchards have already had their first pick over with a second likely soon and a third dependent on volumes from the second pick.
“So far it has been a very good start for us,” she said.
