NZ Avocado Industry

NZ Avocado is the public face that represents the avocado industry in New Zealand. New Zealand Avocado is made up of two entities: NZ Avocado Growers Association Inc. (NZAGA) and NZ Avocado Industry Limited.

We work alongside growers to promote and advance the industry by packing the goodness of New Zealand into every slice of avocado we share with the world.

The New Zealand avocado industry is vibrant, diverse and innovative. The industry is seeing considerable growth and has an ambitious strategy to grow to $1bil by 2040. The industry is pursuing exciting opportunities in both export and the New Zealand markets, supported by innovation and collaboration with stakeholders including the Crown and Crown Research Institutes.

New Zealand currently produces just 2% of the global supply but is the ninth largest international avocado exporter. There are nearly 5,000 hectares of avocado trees planted in New Zealand, primarily in the Bay of Plenty and Northland. Visit the NZ Avocado website for more information here.

Growing avocados in New Zealand

Avocados grow in the North Island of New Zealand which offer a mild climate, plenty of rain and fertile soils. New Zealand is also hilly, and the coastal environment is often windy.

The industry has 1,800 growers who collectively manage nearly 5,000 hectares of mainly the Hass variety of avocados. A number of packhouses, fruit marketing companies and exporters are involved in the industry to market and sell New Zealand avocados both in New Zealand and overseas.

Industry systems

When you love something as much as New Zealand loves avocados, you’re bound to become discerning. We know that New Zealanders care about where their food comes from, what is in it and how it is grown.

Avocado growers in New Zealand register with NZ Avocado and comply with strict rules around avocado quality, food safety and sustainability.

These rules apply right through the supply chain to ensure that our avocados are harvested only when ready and nurtured along their whole journey, so that when they arrive on your plate, you can enjoy their creamy deliciousness.

Industry association

NZ Avocado Grower’s Association Inc. (NZAGA) is the grower membership organisation that operates to support New Zealand avocado growers’ interests. We do this by promoting the sale and consumption of avocados, managing a research and development programme, and by creating a supportive structure that encourages development and growth within the industry. We also co-ordinate and disseminate relevant industry information and lobby and liaise with Government for the good of our growers.

NZ Avocado Industry Limited, NZAIL, is the official product group for the export of avocados from New Zealand. The industry operates under the Horticulture Export Authority (HEA) Act and the Commodities Levy Act. All exporters must have a licence from HEA to export avocados and must register with NZAIL. All export packhouses must be government accredited and register with NZAIL. Growers must register their orchard with NZAIL and growers, packers and exporters must comply with the industry rules set out in the Export Marketing Strategy, Quality Manual and AvoGreen rules. All avocados exported from NZ meet the mandatory industry requirements.