Ruqayyah Snyder
Avocados are grown in a variety of regions in Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. The Hass avocado is the most popular variety grown in Western Australia, accounting for more than 90% of production in the state. Avocados are a perennial fruit that can be grown on various soil types, and Australian premium produce is available all year round due to the diverse growing regions and selected varieties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Australian States with Hass Avocado Orchards | Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, and Tasmania |
| Commercial Growing Regions in Western Australia | Carnarvon, Albany, Carabooda, Gingin, Busselton, Manjimup, and Pemberton |
| Seasonality | Peak production from June to November, with lighter supplies during the summer months |
| Soil Type | Free-draining, red basaltic loams, previously supporting rainforests, to eroded coastal sand dunes |
| Water Requirements | Annual water requirements for commercial production should be approximated |
| Pest and Disease Management | Six-spotted mites, Phytophthora cinnamomi (causes root rot), stem end rots, body rots |
| Industry Representation | Avocados Australia Limited (AAL) and Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (HIA) |
| Export Destinations | Malaysia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and New Zealand |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia's climate for growing Hass avocados
Western Australia's unique climatic conditions have made it possible to grow Hass avocados successfully. The state's Mediterranean-type climate, characterised by warm to hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, provides a suitable environment for avocado cultivation. The avocado industry in Western Australia has expanded to include significant growing areas such as Gingin, Carabooda, Busselton, Manjimup, and Pemberton.
However, the cool and wet conditions during flowering can impact avocado production. Avocados are sensitive to temperature, particularly cold temperatures, which can affect the level of fruit set. The overall yields of Hass avocados in the South-West of Western Australia have not met expectations, and growers have expressed concerns about inconsistent yields. The climate's influence on flowering, pollination, fruit set, and carbohydrate partitioning presents challenges for growers.
To address these challenges, growers employ strategies such as cross-pollination to improve pollination rates. The selection of appropriate cross-polliniser varieties that flower simultaneously is crucial. Additionally, the impact of cold and wet weather on bee activity, the primary pollinator, needs consideration. Growers must also manage avocado trees' vigorous growth to prevent overgrowth in orchards.
Western Australia's diverse growing regions, from the north in Carnarvon to the south in Albany, contribute to the year-round availability of avocados. The main production season typically runs from August through February, with fruit sold interstate and exported to various countries. The state's avocado industry is supported by organisations such as Avocados Australia Limited (AAL) and the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, which work together to address challenges and promote the industry's growth.
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Queensland and New South Wales: the largest avocado producers
Avocados are grown in various regions of Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, and Tasmania. Queensland and New South Wales are the largest avocado-producing states, accounting for an estimated 60% and 30% of the country's production, respectively. Together, these two states contribute a significant proportion of Australia's total avocado output.
The avocado industry in Australia is diverse, with a range of cultivars and growing regions. This diversity, combined with the different varieties grown, ensures a year-round supply of avocados to domestic markets. The highest volume of fruit is typically available between March and November, with production peaking from June to November and lighter supplies during the summer months.
Queensland's avocado production is particularly notable, with the state contributing up to 62% of Australia's avocados. The state's warm, subtropical climate provides ideal growing conditions for avocados, and its vast areas of fertile soil support large-scale avocado orchards. Many of these orchards are located in the coastal regions, taking advantage of the mild temperatures and ample rainfall.
New South Wales, the second-largest producer, also boasts a substantial avocado industry. While the state may have a slightly shorter growing season compared to Queensland, its mild climate and diverse soil types contribute to productive avocado orchards. New South Wales is known for its careful cultivation practices, including soil preparation and drainage techniques, to optimize avocado production.
Both Queensland and New South Wales play a crucial role in supplying avocados to the Australian market. Their contributions ensure a consistent availability of avocados throughout the year, meeting the demands of consumers and contributing significantly to the country's agricultural economy.
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Avocado orchards in Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania
Avocados are currently grown in several Australian states, including Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. Avocado orchards are found in a variety of climates, from tropical to subtropical, and even in regions with occasional minor frosts.
In Victoria, the avocado industry is well-established, with orchards located in various parts of the state. The state's diverse climate and growing regions contribute to the availability of Australian premium avocado produce all year round.
South Australia is also home to avocado orchards, contributing to the country's avocado production. While specific regions within the state are not widely discussed, the state's overall contribution is acknowledged.
Tasmania is known for its commercially grown avocados, which have gained a reputation for their excellent flavour. The state's unique climate allows for a long, slow ripening process, enhancing the taste and quality of the fruit. Growing avocados in Tasmania requires good drainage, protection from strong winds, regular irrigation, and adequate sunlight. The avocado trees in Tasmania take 5-6 years to reach sexual maturity and produce fruit. The Bacon, Zutano, Fuerte, Reed, and Hass varieties are suitable for the Tasmanian climate, which experiences minor frosts above -3 degrees Celsius.
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Avocado industry representation by Avocados Australia Limited
Avocados Australia Limited is the Peak Industry Body for the Australian avocado industry. It is a 'not for profit' membership organisation that represents avocado growers, associated businesses, and industry people. Avocados Australia Limited works with all parts of the chain, from production to the consumer. The organisation guides a "research and development" and "marketing and promotion" program for the Australian avocado industry.
The Australian avocado industry comprises over 800 growers across the country. In 2017-2018, the industry produced 77,032 tonnes of avocados, with an estimated gross value of production (GVP) of $AUD557 million. Key growing areas include North, Central and Southern Queensland, Northern and Central New South Wales, and the Sunraysia or Tristate area (South Australia, Victoria, and South Western New South Wales). Avocados are also grown commercially in Western Australia, from Carnarvon in the north to Albany in the south, with significant production areas including Carabooda and Gingin, north of Perth, and Busselton, Manjimup, and Pemberton to the south. Smaller growing areas are scattered along the coast.
Avocados Australia Limited hosts networking events and seminars to promote the avocado industry and provide updates and training to growers. For example, they hosted the India Avocado Inbound Mission, which included visits to avocado orchards, packing sheds, and processing facilities, as well as networking events. They also organised Shepard Avocado Seminars, which included training on avocado market access and trade development.
Avocados Australia Limited works with various organisations to support the avocado industry. They collaborate with Trade and Investment Queensland, Hort Innovation, and the Queensland Government's Food and Fibre to Market (FF2M) – Industry Partnerships Program managed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Additionally, they work with the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, and the Agricultural Produce Commission Avocado Producers’ Committee in Western Australia to assist the expanding avocado industry.
Avocados Australia Limited also provides resources and guidelines to support best practices in the Australian avocado supply chains. They address issues such as food safety and strict guidelines set by the food industry. They encourage growers with direct marketing to major chains to maintain a production schedule documenting all procedures, from field operations to delivery to wholesale.
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Soil types for growing avocados
Avocados are grown on a wide range of soil types in Australia, from free-draining, red basaltic loams, previously supporting rainforests, to eroded coastal sand dunes. Soil is the most important criterion when selecting an orchard site. Avocados are very sensitive to poorly drained conditions and are susceptible to Phytophthora root rot, which thrives in such soils. In high-rainfall areas, avocado trees require at least 2 metres of well-drained soil. In areas of lower rainfall, at least 1.5 metres of well-drained soil is recommended.
To improve drainage, deep ripping is recommended, and mounding along the rows can be employed to increase the effective root zone. It is also recommended that tree stumps and large roots be removed prior to planting a new orchard to reduce the risk of Armillaria root rot developing and spreading to young trees. The pH of the soil should be checked and adjusted to about 5.5 with lime or dolomite if necessary. Liming materials should be applied before the final cultivation to ensure they are well incorporated into the soil. Zinc is the most common trace element deficient in Australian soils and, if required, is incorporated during final soil preparation.
Avocados cannot tolerate heavy or waterlogged soil, so it is important to monitor the trees and soil as part of the irrigation process. Avocado trees that don't get enough water can experience summer stress, resulting in early flowering and poor fruit set, an increase in fruit shedding in spring and early summer, and reduced fruit size, particularly if stress occurs in the first 6-8 weeks after fruit set. Avocados are sensitive to poor-quality irrigation water and require water with a low conductivity value (low in soluble salts) and a low chloride content. Ideally, water salinity should not exceed 0.6 deciSiemens/m (equivalent to 384 ppm total soluble salts), and chloride content should not exceed 80mg/L.
Avocados require soil with a high air content to thrive. Researchers have estimated that while most plant species need soil to have about 10% air content, avocados need soil to have about 30% air content. To achieve this, mounds for avocados have been tried and studied for decades. Keeping a thick layer of mulch on the mound not only prevents erosion but also gives the tree's roots a more airy, hospitable environment in which to grow and increases the tree's tolerance of soggy dirt below.
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Frequently asked questions
Hass avocados are grown in Western Australia, from Carnarvon in the north to Albany in the south.
Hass avocados account for more than 90% of avocado production in Western Australia.
Avocados are also grown in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.
Avocados can grow in a wide range of soil types, from free-draining, red basaltic loams to eroded coastal sand dunes.
The main production season for avocados in Western Australia runs from August to February.
