Latest news with #BradSiebert
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
New season avocados: Good prices, good quality for NZ, as sector prepares for export
Photo: 123RF Industry group New Zealand Avocados says the new season (2025/2026) has started with solid harvest forecasts, since picking starting last month and will run into summer. Chief executive Brad Siebert said New Zealand shoppers will be able to enjoy good quality fruit at good prices. "Consumers will be seeing some pretty good avocados on the shelf at the moment," he said. Siebert said harvest started in July to first service the local market, ahead of exports which will get into full swing in the coming months. This new season, 6.5 million trays of fruit were expected from the 1400 orchards that were part of the industry group, more than half of which would be exported. Last year's 2024/2025 season was a bumper, with 7.6 million trays reaching $163m. Siebert said last year was a relief for growers. Photo: "As far as last year, that we've concluded now, that was a pretty good relief for many in the industry with substantial gains in export volumes and export value and just an increasing value seen in the local market." It followed a horror season in 2023 due to adverse weather which impacted export-grade fruit earning just $20m from international markets. Siebert said last season, exports rose 170 percent on that terrible season prior, to 3.8m trays sent abroad. However, he said fortunately weather conditions this year have improved. "The weather has been better. The last two years it had some real impact on growers' returns, as the export volume of fruit has been dramatically down and the pack out rate or the class one available for export has been reduced, but we're seeing diversification creates opportunities to send to a diverse set of countries." Siebert said avocado exporters had diversified their markets in recent years, beyond key market Australia, which was bearing fruit for them. Australia was traditionally the largest export market, but he said internal competition there was growing. Photo: Wikicommons "One of the exciting parts of that is the diversification the industry's seen and the export markets, with Asia historically seen around 8 percent of their volumes is now representing 37 percent of our export revenue. "Historically sometimes up to 85 percent of the export crop went to Australia and the Eastern seaboard where the seasonal competitor there being Western Australia. "Consumption continues to grow in Australia, thankfully, but so does the production out of Western Australia." But he said diversification helped spread the risk. "We, like many nations, have diversified, so we've got the ability in the season ahead to export to more countries than any other origin, and so we're headed to North America, Canada, the US and a whole lot more to Asia as well as servicing the important Australian market as well." Avocados into the United States will also face the 15 percent import tariff, which Siebert said was being discussed by government trade officials. Siebert said there was good demand for avocados in New Zealand, as Kiwis consumed the fruit at quite a high rate per capita. But he said harnessing retail opportunities and educating consumers would be key to capitalising on that demand. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
08-08-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
New Zealand avocado exports soar, revenue hits $94m amid market growth
The New Zealand market generated $62 million, with overall export revenue rising 362% to $94m in the year to June 30, 2025. 'This marks a meaningful realignment to balance domestic v international supply, with the 2023-24 season export revenue at only $20 million,' Siebert said. New Zealand growers supplied avocados to the most diverse range of markets to date, with exports to Australia rebounding to $63m and North American markets growing in a second season of exporting to the United States and Canada. Asian markets Siebert said Asian markets continued to grow in importance as exports to the region increased 96% to $40m. 'Asia now represents 37% of avocado export revenue, a significant increase from 8% five years ago.' He said signs were looking promising for the 2025-26 New Zealand avocado export season, with early estimates forecasting an increase in total volumes. 'Growers, packers and exporters are preparing for an earlier export window to service over 16 international markets this season. 'Fruit quality is looking good, with maturity levels tracking well to align with seasonal market requirements.' Siebert said a return to more favourable conditions was a welcome change for an industry that was hit with two cyclones in two years, Dovi in 2022 and Gabrielle in 2023. 'Both hit avocado-growing regions, damaging fruit and reducing export volumes to levels not seen in nearly a decade.' Equipped with a stronger crop, Siebert said the industry was ready to renew its export diversification efforts with vigour. New Zealand Avocado will target markets across Asia as well as North America, with export revenue to Canada and the US growing beyond $4m after only two years of supplying the region. 'Despite growing competition in key export markets, New Zealand avocado exporters have made steady progress in diversifying their market reach,' Siebert said. 'The industry continues to expand its footprint, with increasing volumes being exported to a broader range of destinations. 'This diversification strategy remains a core focus as global demand grows.' Siebert said the sheer size of the Asian market was enticing and with per capita avocado consumption still low, there remained significant potential for growth. Global demand New Zealand Avocado chief executive Brad Siebert. 'As global demand for avocados continues to rise – driven by increasing consumer interest in healthy fats and plant-based nutrition – Asian markets are expected to follow suit," Siebert said. 'This creates a compelling opportunity for the industry to expand supply into these markets as awareness and demand build over time.' To stand out in the increasingly competitive sector, New Zealand positioned itself as a high-quality and trusted supplier, and New Zealand Avocado worked with the industry to develop strong, evidence-based, country-of-origin positioning to support this, he said. 'New Zealand avocados are uniquely positioned to supply premium fruit during the off-season of major producers, offering a valuable counter-seasonal supply option to Asian markets. 'What truly sets avocados from New Zealand apart is their consistently high eating quality, supported by industry-wide standards for food safety, sustainability and traceability. 'These attributes are now further reinforced through the New Zealand Government's FernMark: a globally recognised symbol of trust, authenticity and quality.' Sibert said New Zealand Avocado had recently secured the first industry coalition FernMark Licence for the avocado sector, alongside all participating exporters. 'This official country-of-origin mark assures trade partners and consumers that New Zealand avocados are grown to the highest standards.' About 1600 growers produce avocados in New Zealand. Bay of Plenty remains the leading region, producing around 57% of the country's avocados, with many smaller orchards. Northland accounts for close to 34% of production, with a number of larger-scale orchards. The New Zealand Avocado Growers Association (NZAGA) supports growers' interests by promoting the sale and consumption of avocados, managing a research and development programme and creating a supportive structure that encourages development and growth within the industry. Sibert said New Zealand Avocado also co-ordinates and disseminates relevant industry information and lobbies and liaises with the Government for the good of growers.
