A very disappointing 2023-24 campaign for the New Zealand avocado

New Zealand hosted the Word Avocado Congress for the 1st time in April 2023. A few months later, the harvest season got underway, with volumes significantly lower than in previous years due to the ravages of Cyclone Gabrielle.

 

According to local media reports, the 2023-24 avocado harvest is estimated at 4.5 million trays (5.5 kg), down almost 50% on the 7 to 8 million trays harvested over the previous 4 seasons.

 

Export volume is the lowest in the last 10 years, at less than 1.5 million trays. This represents a drop of almost 80% compared to the 5 million trays exported during the most favorable recent seasons.

 

For the coming season, according to industry estimates, production will be better in terms of quantity and quality, with exports expected to reach 3 to 3.5 million trays.