Growers bounce back from polar blast

Two neighbouring Te Puke avocado orchardists whose export crops were wiped out three years ago have bounced back to claim Top Grower of the Year honours for 2013/2014.


Te Puke avocado growers Robbie Moore (left) and his wife Julene Moore won two awards, including AVOCO Grower of the Year. They are pictured with directors John Carroll and Alistair Young (right).

Grower accuracy
Judges from the two exporter groups which make up AVOCO – Primor and Southern Produce – took into account production figures, export pack out achieved, fruit size profiles and growers’ accuracy and timeliness with administrative issues.

The Moores, who exported 32.8 tonnes per hectare, are no strangers to awards. They picked up Team Avocado Grower of the Year titles in 2005/2006 and 2007/2008.

But Robbie, a former Rotorua sharemilker, says this year’s win is extra special.

“This is the first season under our belts as AVOCO growers and many other growers had a great season, so to be the first recipient of the supreme trophy is quite an honour.”

The win also recognises the effort that went into recovering from a disastrous 2012/2013 season as result of a polar blast sweeping through Te Puke in August 2011. That single weather event saw overnight temperatures plummet to minus five degrees Celsius, which burnt flower buds and split fragile stems on trees, wiping out any chance either the Moores or Whiteheads had to produce an export crop the following year.

Bumper harvest
Ashby, who is also chairman of the Avocado Industry Council, exported 31.8 tonnes per hectare last season. And like most Bay of Plenty growers, he’s expecting a bumper harvest in 2014/2015.

“As long as the flow of fruit is managed well then as growers, we can have faith the returns will hold up.”

New Zealand exported 3.1 million avocado trays last season and is on track to export five million trays this coming season – 3.2 million through AVOCO.

Up to 62 per cent of the fruit will be sent to Australia but AVOCO is also planning to channel, through its marketing partnership in AVANZA, about 19 per cent of its export trays to the US and a further 10 per cent to Japan. Emerging Asian markets, including Thailand, Singapore and India, will take the remainder.

Global demand
AVOCO director John Carroll says the growing global demand for avocados is outstripping supply and developing international markets outside Australia is a key strategy for AVOCO and AVANZA in the future.

John says harvesting started in the Far North in late-July and AVOCO will be packing for up to 11 different markets seven days every week. The sharing and monitoring of flow plans would be critical to the season’s success.

“Growers will need to do their part by picking fruit to the flow plans we provide and ensuring they make the right spray choices to keep them open for all markets.

“This season will be a huge logistical exercise, but we’re confident we have the team and experience to make it work.”


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