Avocado leaders to congregate in NZ
HORTICULTURE: Planning in full swing as Auckland prepares to host industry’s world congress next year.
We are delighted to welcome avocado visitors to New Zealand to showcase our industry and our beautiful country.
Less than a year from now, the world’s leading avocado growers and specialists will descend upon New Zealand for the 10th World Avocado Congress. New Zealand Avocado chief executive officer Jen Scoular, who is also the World Avocado Congress Committee president, says the congress represents an opportunity for avocado industries and horticulture sectors from around the globe to come together.
“New Zealand is proud to host this prestigious international event for the first time,” she says.
Taking place in Auckland from April 2-6 next year, the congress will demonstrate New Zealand growing practises, food safety and quality systems, and the ethical treatment of growers and communities that live in avocado growing regions.
It also provides the opportunity to access innovation, global knowledge and science to support the growth of the sector.
New Zealand, which contributes 2 per cent of global avocado production and is the world’s ninth largest avocado exporter, originally won the bid to host the next world congress in 2019.
It was one of three countries to put forward a bid to win the hosting rights for the 2023 event and was up against Mexico, the largest avocado exporter in the world, and Kenya, the sixth largest exporter of avocados globally.
Held every four years, previous congresses have been hosted in Colombia, Peru, Australia and Chile.
“To help us showcase New Zealand avocados on a world stage, we are pleased to announce some of our initial sponsors and partners for the congress,” says Jen.
“Darling Group has been secured as the Kiwi Gold Partner, highlighting the importance of this global congress to their international business.
“Avoco and Radford’s Software are our first Tui Silver Sponsors and Seeka is our first Kereru Bronze Sponsor. We also welcome Event Partners Plant & Food Research (our science partner), Auckland Unlimited and Tourism New Zealand.
“We are excited to announce that Mission Produce is our first global foundation partner and we warmly welcome them.
“We are certainly open for conversations for further sponsors and partnerships.
“After the global pandemic, we are delighted to welcome avocado visitors to New Zealand to showcase our industry and our beautiful country.
“We are also working closely with Australian Avocados to better enable congress-goers to add a trip to Australia after the congress.”
The World Avocado Congress will take place at the Aotea Centre in Auckland.
It will include a three-day academic programme with international keynote speakers, regional field days and opportunities to mix business with pleasure.
Tickets will be available in June 2022 on the World Avocado Congress website.