Western Australian Avocado Growers Eyeing China Ahead of Record Crop

According to a report from ABC News, avocado growers in Western Australia are anticipating a record harvest and are targeting the Chinese market, hoping to secure export approval soon.

In the 2024/25 season, Western Australia’s avocado production reached 36,889 metric tons, representing 28% of the national total of 131,385 metric tons. In the previous 2023/24 season, Australia’s total avocado output hit a record high of 150,913 metric tons. National production is forecast to rise further, reaching 171,163 metric tons over the next two seasons.

Four years ago, a glut in production forced many avocado growers in Western Australia to discard large quantities of fruit. With output surging once again, concerns over oversupply and market saturation have reemerged within the industry.

As Western Australia is considered largely free of the pests that can affect avocado production in other places, it is already authorized to export fresh avocados to Japan and Thailand, while export access to China remains under negotiation.

At the end of last year, Avocados Australia signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with the Yunnan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. In April of this year, the two sides held the first China–Australia Avocado Industry Cooperation Seminar in Yunnan, aiming to establish long-term technical exchange and cooperation in the future.

Brad Rodgers, director for Western Australia at Avocados Australia, said that the association has signed a memorandum of understanding valued at approximately 250 million Australian dollars (US$162 million) with Shanghai markets, highlighting strong interest in Australian avocados in China.

Industry insiders predict that once Australian avocados gain official market access to China, growers in Western Australia will be ready to begin shipments immediately.

Image: Pixabay

This article was based on a Chinese article. Read the original article.