Avocado exporters are predicting that 2014-15 will be New Zealand's biggest export season. But increased competition from Australia means more effort will have to go into developing markets in Asia and further afield, says Alistair Young, a director of AVOCO.
AVOCO was formed in 2013 by New Zealand's two biggest avocado exporters - Bay of Plenty-based Southern Produce and Auckland-based Primor Produce - after years of rivalry.
But while the joint entity's inaugural season was a success, with more than 1.9 million trays exported, next season would be the true test, with more than 5 million trays available for export, said Mr Young.
"The challenges of a massive crop and a more competitive Australian market because of the bumper crop it too is expecting in 2014-15, will mean AVOCO can really show what it's made of."
Australia took the majority of AVOCO's export crop last year, when the combination of low Australian crop volumes and high consumer demand saw New Zealand growers enjoy high orchard gate returns.