Leading Chinese avocado importers Riverking are taking part in a trade visit to Queensland this month to visit avocado growers, packers and exporters located in and around Bundaberg.
Organised by Avocados Australia in collaboration with the Queensland Department of Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, and Trade and Investment Queensland, the aim of the visit is to learn about Australia’s production practices and further build strategic alliances with industry stakeholders.
Some of the visits planned will be to Simpson Farms, Costa Group and Donovan Avocados.
Riverking delegates will have the opportunity to participate in important discussions with representatives from these organisations.
Lachlan Donovan from Donovan Avocados will be one of the growers/exporters hosting Riverking and said they valued their interest in the growing region.
“We know there is a lot of interest from China in Australian avocados and hosting visits like this one from Riverking is a logical step for us to take to progress our relationships with Chinese stakeholders,” Lachlan said.
Riverking are innovative fruit importers and recently completed the building new avocado ripening facilities in Shanghai to support the accelerating growth of avocados in China.
China has just surpassed Japan as the largest avocado importer in Asia.
Avocado industry growing rapidly
According to Avocados Australia’s ‘Facts At A Glance’ Report, Queensland continues to produce the majority of Australian avocados with 65% of production coming from that state in 2022 – 23.
Given the growth expected over the next few years, gaining access to China is a critically important outcome for the industry.
Avocados Australia CEO John Tyas said it was a special opportunity to show the industry as leading providers of quality avocados and demonstrate their commitment to best practices and service delivery.
“Avocados Australia has made it a priority to increase Australian avocado exports and I believe this visit by Riverking paves the way for further engagement with our key Chinese stakeholders,” John said.
“Avocados Australia is building a strong and enduring relationship with Riverking.
“We met with Riverking’s President and executive team at their Shanghai Head Quarters in 2023 and they attended a special Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony between Avocados Australia and the China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association in the same year.”
The Australian avocado industry is growing rapidly, producing just over 115,385 tonnes of avocados in 2022/23 and Australian production is forecast to increase strongly over the next few years to approximately 170,000 tonnes by 2026.
In line with this production growth, Australian growers are committed to opening up new overseas markets such as China as increased exports will be critical for the future viability of the Australian avocado industry.
This project has been supported by the Avocado market access and trade development (AV20004) project and funded by Hort Innovation, using the Avocado research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.
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