The country is set to join the likes of Chile, Peru and Mexico in the fast-growing market.

Authorities from China and New Zealand have signed a protocol of avocado export requirements, prompting optimism access will be granted soon.

The signing followed a series of technical discussions last week between New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) with input from industry.

The next step before trade commences is an audit of New Zealand's regulatory system for exporting avocados by AQSIQ in mid-December 2017.

"Securing export access for our avocados into China is New Zealand's top horticulture priority," MPI Director-General Martyn Dunne said in a release.

"I would like to acknowledge the extensive work, support and cooperation by MPI, industry body New Zealand Avocado and AQSIQ officials in enabling this significant progress in New Zealand's trade with China."

New Zealand's avocado industry achieved record-breaking sales last season with NZ$200 million (US$136 million) from 7.9 million trays.  Of this figure, NZ$155.5 million (US$106 million) were destined for export into markets such as Australia, Japan, Singapore, Korea and Thailand, representing year-on-year growth of close to 70%.

According to UN Comtrade statistics, New Zealand was the world's seventh-largest avocado exporter in the 2016 calendar year.

China is expected to be a significant market for New Zealand avocados.

"China is very aware of the significant global increase in avocado consumption, the associated health benefits and the strong growth and huge potential in the avocado category," said New Zealand Avocado chief executive Jen Scoular.

"Our conversations with Chinese importers show there will be strong interest in New Zealand avocados."

"Our aim is to create a globally competitive, high-value, sustainable horticulture industry delivering real returns to New Zealand," added Tony Ponder, chair of the New Zealand Avocado Growers Association.

Avocado exports will join New Zealand's other fresh fruit exports to China that include apples, kiwifruit, cherries, plums, citrus and persimmons.

Martyn Dunne said progress toward avocado access into China was a good demonstration of the strength of collaboration and positive, respectful relationships.

"The progress to date towards securing access for our avocados is underpinned by collaboration and the positive relationship shared by both New Zealand and China," Dunne said.

"MPI and the avocado industry are committed to getting our avocado trade with China underway as soon as possible."

Growth in the avocado industry is also being enabled through the New Zealand Avocados Go Global Primary Growth Partnership programme between New Zealand Avocado and MPI. 

The five-year, NZ$8.56 million (US$5.8 million) collaboration that has made real progress towards goals to triple productivity and grow industry returns to $280 million (US$191 million) per year by 2023.

While the crop is very short this year, in September Martin Napper of export group Avanza highlighted a "bulge" of production would be coming on-line in the coming years due to increased plantings.

Photo: NZ Avocado

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