Aussie avo will take on world

A FORECAST growing domestic supply of avocados has the industry poised to find a hungry international market for the “premium” Aussie fruit.

Tolga grower Andrew Serra attended the Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong last week to gauge demand and build awareness for Australian avocados.

It comes as the University of Queensland moves towards using a new stem cell multiplication method that could double the state’s avocado production and reduce the time it takes for new varieties to reach commercial orchards.

Mr Serra (right) said he would continue expand his farming business after gauging that Asian markets would pay premium prices for the green fruit.

“It is forecast that the growing supply of Australian avocados will gradually catch up with the growing domestic demand,” he said. “Australian avocados are premium quality and have a high cost of production compared to other major global avocado producers therefore, we will need to fetch a premium price.” to

The two-day event allows the “Taste Australia” group to gain exposure to 11,000 top trade decision-makers from 74 countries. It was Australian horticulture’s largest ever trade delegation and will continue a six-month tour across Asia and the Middle East.

Mr Serra supplies avocadoes to wholesalers who export to Malaysia and Singapore.

UQ Professor Neena Mitter’s research identified a backlog of avocado plant orders until 2020. Scientists are working with Lakeland banana growers, who are seeking heatadapted trees to grow alongside bananas.