Benchmarking export quality for Australian avocados
A new research project is setting out to boost the quality and competitiveness of Australian avocados in international markets, with a focus on improving fruit condition on retail shelves in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.
Funded through the Hort Innovation avocado research and development levy, The Avocado International Retail Quality Benchmarking project (AV24015) will benchmark avocado quality in export markets to better understand how the supply chain impacts fruit condition at the point of sale.
Over the next two years, Applied Horticultural Research (AHR), in partnership with Avocados Australia and local collaborators, will conduct weekly retail fruit quality assessments in both Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.
The findings will be linked with supply chain data to pinpoint where quality issues occur, helping growers, exporters and importers to identify opportunities to improve handling and storage practices.
A key feature of the project is real-time feedback through an interactive online dashboard, giving exporters access to live quality data from overseas retail markets. This will allow for rapid response to issues and continuous improvement in export performance.
“Our aim is to build a clear picture of what happens to Australian avocados once they leave our shores,” project leader Adam Goldwater said.
“By connecting fruit quality at retail with supply chain data, we can identify where improvements can be made and help maintain Australia’s reputation for premium-quality produce.”
In an upcoming visit to Hong Kong, the project team will assess both Australian and competitor avocados at retail, and importantly, train local samplers. The local team will continue the weekly sampling and assessment work in Hong Kong supermarkets as part of a comprehensive two-year benchmarking program.
Insights from the benchmarking results will be shared with industry, helping Australian avocado growers and exporters refine their export strategies and strengthen relationships with overseas partners.
Establishing strong local connections is another key objective of the visit. The visit will include meetings with retailers, importers and wholesalers, providing valuable insight into how avocados are handled from their arrival at the port through to retail display.
“Strong relationships with importers and retailers will help us understand any unique challenges in the local supply chain and how they might differ to the Australian situation,” Adam said.
This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the avocado research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.