AVOCO's marketing and communications manager, Steve Trickett, says the unique climate and extending growing season New Zealand avocados are produced in will help to differentiate AVANZA fruit in the produce aisle. This will be supported by point-of-sale consumer education material covering nutritional attributes, handling and recipe ideas.
Research has proven that avocados grown in New Zealand have 20 per cent more folate and twice as much vitamin B6 than avocados grown elsewhere.
"Being the closest and therefore freshest southern hemisphere source of avocados to China, the subtle differences in the taste and texture profile of our fruit, as well as presenting consumers with a larger piece of fruit backed by promotional investment, will help underpin our brand story, all aimed to secure a premium place in the market," says Mr Trickett.
Market access to China follows a successful technical audit of the regulatory system for exporting this week. MPI and China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) signed the protocol to agree export requirements in November 2017.
Demand for New Zealand avocados has steadily grown in key Asian markets due to efforts led by AVANZA to educate consumers on the health and versatility benefits of the fruit.
As Asian economies continue to develop and an increasing number of wealthier consumers emerge, diets become more varied and demand for high quality nutritious international food grows. We project that growth in demand for avocados is only set to increase, says Mr Trickett.
"In operating AVANZA, AVOCO has built relationships in many exciting Asian markets and it's fantastic that we can now add China to that list."
