New Zealand Avocado readies for bumper export season
New Zealand is gearing up for a bumper crop of 7.8 million trays for the current 2026/27 season. But this larger-than-usual crop is also set to bring one of the largest export campaigns the sector has seen in recent years, with 4.8 million trays destined for international markets, according to local news outlet SunLive.
Brad Siebert, head of the industry body New Zealand Avocado, said that estimates remain moving targets and are still subject to crop load, harvest timing, fruit quality and changing market conditions. However, if forecasts hold, shipments would approach record volumes set by the industry in 2021.
As a result, Siebert explained the sector has expanded its export portfolio, and with pack-out rates projected to rise up to 60 percent, the local market might see lower volumes than last year.
“The season ahead is not just about larger volumes. It is about how effectively the industry delivers on demand through co-ordinated market timing, fruit quality and supply chain execution,” the executive said.
New Zealand avocados expand their global footprint
To Seibert’s point, the season will be marked not only by significant volume but also by a great leap in market diversification.
For the 2025/26 season, only about 21 percent of Aotearoa’s fruit went to Australia, according to SunLive, following a successful push by exporters to diversify programs across Asia and North America.
This season, fruit destined for the neighboring country is set to rebound to 55 percent, but Siebert emphasized the growing importance of markets such as Canada, South Korea, and China.
“Diversification remains critical to the industry’s long-term strategy, but strong Australian demand provides an important commercial foundation as the industry works through a significantly larger crop,” said the executive.
The sector is also moving growing volumes to Japan, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.
Season timing is also shifting
In conversation with SunLive, Siebert explained there will be a larger proportion of fruit moving through export packing earlier in the season to meet demand in different markets.
This shift in timing could result in an altered schedule for the local market, which the industry will have to monitor closely
“Larger crop volumes also place additional pressure on harvest timing, packhouse throughput, logistics and shipping co-ordination, and maintaining fruit quality throughout longer supply chains into export markets remains critical to protecting New Zealand’s reputation,” he concluded.
*All images are referential.
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