Innovative avocado scanner boosts sales and consumer confidence in Australia trial

A new in-store ripeness scanner currently being trialed in Australia could offer insights for retailers and suppliers looking to reduce bruising and improve consumer confidence. Early data shows the scanner is used on approximately 45 percent of avocados sold weekly in participating stores, according to Avocados Australia.

Developed by Dutch agri-tech company OneThird, the device uses near-infrared spectroscopy to measure firmness without cutting into the fruit. It provides shoppers with an estimate of when the avocado will be ready to eat, along with storage guidance. This limits handling damage—a key contributor to shrinkage across the supply chain.

Squeezing the problem

The trial addresses a persistent issue for avocado suppliers globally: consumer handling. Industry research cited in the release found that 47 percent of shoppers squeeze three or more avocados before purchase, contributing to bruising and downstream losses.

The challenge ties directly to consumer demand patterns. About 75 percent of shoppers seek avocados that will ripen within two days, increasing the likelihood of in-store handling while they assess readiness.

“Finding an avocado at the right stage of ripeness is a key frustration of consumers,” says Avocados Australia CEO John Tyas. If we can help consumers select avocados with greater confidence, we support better eating experiences, reduce bruising, and further strengthen trust in Australian avocados.”

The scanner allows shoppers to scan individual pieces of fruit and receive a ripeness rating on a customizable scale, potentially reducing the need for manual squeezing.

Potential beyond Australia

Beyond consumer use, the technology generates data for retailers, including firmness profiles of displayed fruit and peak shopping times. According to the trial, these analytics can help produce managers adjust merchandising, reduce waste, and align ripeness with demand.

“The Australian avocado industry invests significantly each year in research and innovation to improve quality and make it easier for consumers to enjoy avocados with confidence,” Tyas adds. “Trials like this allow us to explore how technology can support growers, retailers, and consumers alike.”

The trial is part of the Monitoring Avocado Supply Chain Quality project. Before the in-store pilot, more than 500 Hass avocados from multiple growing regions underwent laboratory testing to validate the device’s ability to classify fruit by ripeness.

The technology has also seen retail trials in Europe with chains including Kaufland and Tesco, as well as in Thailand.

The Australian industry will evaluate consumer engagement and operational feasibility as it considers broader deployment.

*All photos courtesy of Avocados Australia.

The second edition of the Global Avocado Summit will be held on November 11, 2026, at the Monticello Casino Events Center in Santiago, Chile. Organized by the Chilean Avocado Committee and Yentzen Group, the meeting seeks to bring together the main players in a growing industry.

The event has established itself as a key space for addressing commercial and sustainability issues in the industry, bringing together producers, exporters, buyers, certifiers, and innovators to analyze the sector’s challenges and opportunities.

For more info, contact events@yentzengroup.com

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