New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has broken significant ground in its bid to secure access to the Chinese market for the country’s avocado growers.
A protocol outlining approved export requirements was signed between MPI and China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision (AQSIQ) late last week.
AQSIQ inspectors are scheduled to visit New Zealand in mid-December (2017) to audit the regulatory system for exporting avocados, before trade can commence.
“Securing export access for our avocados into China is New Zealand’s top horticulture priority,” says MPI director-general Martyn Dunne.
“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.”
The move comes after a record breaking 2016/17 campaign for New Zealand avocados, which saw the industry generate more than NZ$200m in sales from 7.9m trays of fruit. Exports made up NZ$155.5m of this figure, an increase of NZ$64m from the previous season, with markets such as Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand leading the way.
Jen Scoular, chief executive of industry body New Zealand Avocado, said 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 Scoular.
“Our conversations with Chinese importers show there will be strong interest in New Zealand avocados.”
Growth in New Zealand’s avocado industry is being enabled through the New Zealand Avocados Go Global primary growth partnership programme between New Zealand Avocado and MPI. The five-year, NZ$8.56m collaboration has made real progress towards the goal of tripling productivity and growing industry returns to NZ$280m per year by 2023.
“Our aim is to create a globally competitive, high-value, sustainable horticulture industry delivering real returns to New Zealand,” said Tony Ponder, chair of the New Zealand Avocado Growers Association.
“We’re well on the way towards this, and access to China for our avocados will play a big part.”
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