Avocados Australia represents the biosecurity interests of avocado producers and the industry. They are members of Plant Health Australia and signatories to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed. Their responsibilities include:
- biosecurity planning and implementation at the national and farm levels
- liaising with federal and state governments on trade issues
- funding and supporting biosecurity initiatives
- participating in national committees and response efforts in an emergency.
Industry overview
In 2018–19, avocado production was valued at $296 million (LVP), with exports valued at $19.7 million, which were mainly shipped to Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Australians’ love of avocados has grown steadily each year since the 1990s. Consumption in 2018–19 reached 3.8 kilograms per person, and 3.88 kilograms person in 2019–20, up from 1.2 kilograms in 1997–98.
Queensland continues to dominate Australia’s avocado production followed by Western Australia, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, with a small amount of production in Tasmania and one known orchard in the Northern Territory. Orchard areas are expanding in almost every growing region. This geographic diversity in growing regions ensures consumers have access to Australian avocados year-round. Fruit imported from New Zealand and, as of late 2020, Chile, supplements supply during spring and summer.
The Hass variety is the predominant avocado produced in Australia, accounting for approximately 81 per cent production, with Shepard accounting for about 16 per cent. Other varieties such as Reed, Sharwil, Gwen, Wurtz and Fuerte make up the balance.
Avocados Australia is active in the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP) and the National Management Groups (NMG) responding to the annual incursion of three fruit fly species in the Torres Strait, and to the detections of Varroa jacobsoni in Queensland, also under active eradication.
Avocados Australia has also recently participated in updating the industry’s biosecurity plan (version 3.0 was released in February 2020), and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PHA in June 2020 to improve the industry’s capability to prepare for and respond to biosecurity risks, at the industry level.
Value of production and distribution
Annual value of avocado production, 2007–19
Distribution of avocado production by state and territory, 2018–19 (based on LVP)
Biosecurity plans, manuals and resources
Biosecurity planning provides a mechanism for the avocado industry, government and other relevant stakeholders to assess current biosecurity practices and future biosecurity needs. Planning identifies procedures that can be put in place to reduce the chance of pests reaching our borders or minimise the impact if a pest incursion occurs.
The Biosecurity Plan for the Avocado Industry outlines key threats to the industry, risk mitigation plans, identification and categorisation of exotic pests and contingency plans. For a copy, please contact PHA on 02 6215 7700 or email admin@phau.com.au
The Orchard Biosecurity Manual for the Avocado Industry contains information to help producers to implement biosecurity on-farm. Manuals usually contain an overview of biosecurity, fact sheets to identify the high priority pests of a crop, tips on crop management, and how to manage people, vehicles and equipment to minimise biosecurity risks. Manuals also contain a biosecurity self-assessment list, and templates to record pest surveillance records and visitors.
More information about on-farm biosecurity for both plant and livestock producers is available from the Farm Biosecurity website.
The Exotic Pest Identification and Surveillance Guide for Tropical Horticulture was developed with funding from the Australia Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
Inspecting crops for signs of new pests is one way growers can protect Australia’s plant industries from exotic pests, as early detection and reporting improves the chances of successfully containing or eradicating new pests. The guide is in two sections:
• Biosecurity and surveillance
• Identification of key exotic pests.
Postcard
Promotional item to support the exotic plant pest hotline 1800 084 881.
Improving pollination
The Maximise your avocado crop with better pollination brochure, produced by PHA working with Plant and Food Research NZ and Hort Innovation, brings together the science on best-practice for pollination in one place and provides clear steps for growers to assess their pollination during flowering to reduce the risk of pollination failure.
Many growers in Australia rely heavily on the free pollination services offered by wild or unmanaged European honey bees. But honey bees are not always the best pollinator for a crop.
Additional pollination information
Additional fact sheets and web links about the pollination of this crop are listed below. Please be aware that some of the information was developed overseas, and environmental and seasonal variations may occur.
Avocado Pollination Fact Sheet, The Pollination Program (AgriFutures Australia and Hort Innovation)
The value of pollination, Avocados Australia
Avocado flowering information, University of California
Avocado flowering and pollination, University of California
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