Costly summer for expectant avocado lovers

By LIAM DANN

Avocado lovers look likely to have their hearts broken for the second summer in a row.

Production volumes are low again this year, meaning domestic prices will be high as exporters concentrate on filling international orders, says Avocado Industry Council chairman Hugh Moore.

This year's crop of avocados, which have a 15-month cycle from flower to harvesting, were damaged by last spring's frosty weather.

The varroa mite isn't helping either, as it has seriously depleted feral bee numbers around the Bay of Plenty.

Growers are paying to have bees brought in for pollination.

Last season - the worst for three years - the industry managed to export just 1.2 million trays.

Moore said it looked like the latest export figure would be about the same.

On the plus side, the quality of the fruit was looking slightly better.

"Last year there was ridging and the size was small," he said. This season the quality was "average to good".

Wetter, warmer weather in the Bay of Plenty this year already has growers more optimistic about the prospects for the harvest next year.

But that's no comfort to consumers looking forward to a summer of avocado-filled salads this year.

Based on last season's prices, if you can find a ready-to-eat avocado for less than $2.50, you will be getting a bargain.

The avocado shortage creates problems when it comes to exporting.

Moore said low volumes meant exporters could miss out on market opportunities in Australia.

"We've lost shelf space there to our competitors because we haven't had the volume to supply," he said. "So we're all praying that having had a wet winter this year and a good spring, if all goes well we could bounce back quite heavily."

If the season goes well this year, the industry could double its exports next year.

New Zealand's avocado oil industry is also suffering.

The chief executive of Avocado Oil New Zealand, Brian Richardson, said his company had been unable to expand into new markets because of the shortfall.

Demand for avocado oil was almost insatiable, but the company was doing all it could to supply existing customers first.

The company has started sourcing avocados from Australia and investigating other international markets as a way to ensure a stable supply.

The planted area in New Zealand is growing fast. Government statistics show it has grown nearly 200 per cent between 1994 and 2000 to about 4000ha.

But this country's climate makes growing avocados a more challenging task than in warmer countries.

Industry growth

* Volume sales:

1996/97 3454 tonnes, $15.41m

1999/00 9400 tonnes, $42.07m

2002/03 13,248 tonnes, $46.64m

* Avocados have been grown in New Zealand for the past 30 years.

* During the peak season from October to March about 10 million avocados are eaten in New Zealand.

* Avocado comes from the Aztec word "auacatl", which roughly translates "green testicles".