First shipment of NZ avocados arrives in China

NZ has started exporting avocados to China. Picture/NZ Herald.

The first airfreighted consignment of fresh New Zealand avocados has landed in China, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said.

The shipment follows agreement and signing of a protocol on phytosanitary requirements between New Zealand and China last November, and a technical audit of New Zealand's regulatory system for exporting avocados by Chinese officials in January.

MPI director-general Martyn Dunne said securing export access for avocados into China had been a top priority for the horticulture industry.

"Granting of avocado access is the culmination of substantial work and negotiation over a number of years between New Zealand and China, and we're excited to reach this milestone," he said.

New Zealand's avocado exports have boomed in recent years.

In 2016/17, New Zealand exported $155.5 million of avocados into markets including Australia, Japan, Singapore, Korea and Thailand – an increase of about $64m from the previous season.

New Zealand will compete for shelf space in China with fruit from Mexico, Peru and Chile – the only other countries currently benefiting from market access.

Horticulture has been on a steep growth trajectory in recent years, driven mostly by a strong performance from the kiwifruit and apple export sectors.