Western Australian Hass avocados get renewed market access to Thailand

Thailand was identified as a high priority destination for avocado exports because it was the second largest export for Australian avocados before 2013 when the nation introduced a cold treatment protocol that put a halt to exports.

To enable trade to commence for Australian Hass avocados, Thailand needs to undertake verification activities, which are expected to happen during the upcoming WA 2023-24 avocado season.

WA avocado grower Alan Blight from AvoWest said the announcement was a win for industry.

"The Thailand market being back on the cards for Western Australian growers is a significant development for our industry, and a very welcome one," he said.

"I know industry is excited about the possibilities it presents."

Over the past decade, the avocado industry has invested its levy through Hort Innovation into a wide range of trade-focused initiatives such as trade development, export strategies, consumer insights, market access research, international marketing activities and more.

Federal agriculture minister Murray Watt said Thailand had an estimated market value of about $10 million.

"The Australian avocado industry has recently experienced substantially lower prices on the domestic market due to high supply," Mr Watt said.

"Opening new market access and trade opportunities is helping the avocado industry maintain steady supply and pricing.

"Thailand was Australias 12th largest agriculture, fisheries and forestry export market by value in 2021, worth $1.5 billion, including horticulture at $105 million.

"Consumer appetite for avocados is high in Thailand and it is no surprise that there is demand for our world-class, clean, and healthy produce."

Hort Innovation chief executive officer Brett Fifield said securing new overseas markets for Australian avocados has been a key focus for industry for more than 10 years.

"Australia's avocado production is rapidly increasing year on year," Mr Fifield said.

"If Australian production continues in line with current forecasts, by 2025, there is likely to be 25,000 tonnes available for export.

"The avocado industry has invested heavily in trade initiatives through Hort Innovation over the past decade, so gaining access for Hass avocados from WA in Thailand is a significant achievement.

"It follows the announcement earlier this year in March that Hass avocados can now be exported to India."

"With a surplus of avocados coming, research and development has never played a more important role."

Mr Fifield said that this announcement comes off the back of significant efforts across the avocado supply chain to be strategic about which overseas markets to focus on.

"In 2016, a levy-funded export strategy was developed which identified top potential markets and recommended the best strategic approaches to succeed in them," he said.

Various overseas market promotional activity is underway year-round through Grown in Good Nature, with scope for industry to leverage the program in Thailand in the future.

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