Speakers from around the globe – who’ll talk on a cross-section of avocado industry topics – is what’s in-store at the upcoming New Zealand Avocado International Industry Conference 2018.

The three-day conference is at ASB Baypark, Tauranga from August 29-31 – speakers from China, Australia, Colombia and New Zealand will talk on day two in three sessions followed by technical experts from the NZ industry, who will answer grower questions in an ‘On the Couch’ session.

Maximise value

NZ Avocado CEO Jen Scoular, whose team is organising the event, says the fantastic programme of international and NZ speakers will present the latest knowledge and opinions of issues important to maximising value for the NZ avocado industry. “Everyone in the avocado industry is welcome – this is an industry event not to be missed.”

Session one has two speakers: Loren Zhao from China and Dr Nicholas Gill of NZ. Loren is co-founder of China’s largest online produce retailer, Fruitday.com, which began in 2009 and now supplies premium fresh fruit online to millions of consumers in hundreds of different cities across China.
“Loren makes frequent trips to NZ, sourcing supply of premium fresh produce including avocados, for discerning customers in China,” says Jen.

“He’ll provide insights into the current market for avocados in China, focusing on Chinese avocado consumers and what motivates them to purchase premium imported fresh produce.”

Market of opportunity

He’ll also talk of how Mexico, Peru and Chile are promoting avocados in this market of enormous opportunity.  “Loren will give his view on what makes avocados from NZ unique, and how we as an industry can use those unique points of difference to our advantage to achieve success in China.”
Nic is the strength and conditioning coach for the All Blacks, Ironman, sport scientist and avocado grower. He’ll talk about what it takes to win consistently on a global stage – and how “avocados are perfectly positioned to help everyday Kiwis and consumers worldwide train for success and support a culture of good health”. Session two speakers are Professor Neena Mitter, who is director of the Centre for Horticultural Science, at The University of Queensland; Carol Ward, who is Zespri’s chief innovation and sustainability officer; and Plant & Food Research’s Dr David Pattemore, who leads the Pollination and Apiculture team.

Neena is internationally recognised for her leadership in innovative, cross-functional research and exceptional industry engagement to address global challenges of horticulture and food security, says Jen.

“She leads an impactful research group to deliver global innovations, namely ‘Clonal propagation of avocado using plant stem cells and Non-GM and Non-toxic BioClay spray for crop protection’.”

Carol joined Zespri in April 2002 and has worked in a variety of roles at Zespri, which with a sales revenues of nearly NZ$2 billion is one of the world’s most successful horticultural marketing companies. David leads research projects covering behaviour of pollinators and the pollination of fruit.

Session three speakers are Craige Mackenzie, agronomist, Greenvale Pastures/Agri Optics NZ Ltd; Plus Group director Steven Saunders; Plant & Food Research’s Dr Philip Elmer; and Jorge Restrepo, executive director of Corpohass Colombia – the Columbian association of Hass avocado growers and exporters. Craige runs two irrigated farm businesses in Canterbury and his focus is on utilising precision agriculture systems to maximise nutrient efficiency. Steve is founder of Plus Group, investor and founder of Newnham Park innovation centre, WNT tech incubator, and regional research centre PlantTech. While Philip leads the Integrated Disease Control Team at Ruakura, Hamilton.

Jorge has a Master in marketing and in global market management.

The ‘On the couch’ session has Avoco technical manager Colin Partidge, Just Avocados Ltd orchard productivity manager Erica Faber, and Seeka chief technical officer Dr  Jonathan Dixon answering grower questions. For more information on the conference’s speakers, see: www.avocadoconference.co.nz

Dr Nicholas Gill

Dr Philip Elmer

Neena Mitter

Jorge Restrepo