Another “avolanche” is looming. Who's gonna eat all those avocados?

When Australian farmers begged consumers to eat more avocados, they stepped in and crushed them, but there are fears that might not be enough to absorb the next 'avolanche'.

Key points: By 2026, the supply of avocados in Australia should be more than double what it was in 2021 to reap the rewards

Preparing for a new year of oversupply, the industry is stepping up its efforts to find new export markets in a perfect storm of increased production and good seasons.

Although this means consumers can expect good prices in the short term, with almost half of the trees planted in Australia yet to bear fruit , some growers are concerned about their long-term viability.The tough years keep coming

Avocados Australia, the industry representative body, is working with growers to improve profitability, market access, research and development.

General Manager John Tyas said in 2022 growers produced 122,000 tonnes of fruit, compared to 80,000 tonnes in 2021, and production is expected to reach 170,000 tonnes by 2026. , and tougher years were ahead.

"We are going through a phase massive growth and obviously the industry is going through some pretty serious growing pains," he said.

"A a 50% increase in 12 months – that's why it's been so hard to suddenly move a volume increase in such limited markets.

"We really only have three big markets market and the internal market."

John Tyas says pressure is on to find new markets for increased supply. (Kim Honan)

Almost 80% of Australian households buy nt of avocados, with consumption rising last year to almost 5kg per person per year.

But Mr Tyas said that was due to prices, which had dropped from around $40 a tray to $17.

"Consumers were getting fruit for around $1 a piece…but growers in Australia can't supply at that price, it's just unsustainable in the long term," he said.

"Although we are one of the biggest consumers of avocados in the world, we see that there is still room to grow domestically."< /p>

Mr. Tyas said exports to Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong had tripled in 2022, but the big challenge would be overcoming quarantine protocols to send fruit to new markets.

"Things are gearing up when we have a pretty big harvest coming up for next year," he said.

"We expect to really increase our exports to Japan…we need to tackle every market and exploit every market as much as possible."

The High Yield Catch-22

Across Australia , there are about 4 million avocado trees planted, up from 1.5 million a year a decade ago.

For years, th The industry has sought higher yields bred, trying to produce enough high quality fruit to provide a constant supply that was essential for p...