Avocado prices smashed as 'perfect storm' hits growers

Avocado farmers' returns are well down. (Image: BusinessDesk)

Tue, 30 Jan 2024

Avocado farming is far from the sure bet it once was, with orchardists hammered by poor weather, oversupply from competing markets and escalating orchard costs.The result has been nothing short of a financial disaster for commercial Hass avocado growers.With only a few weeks left in the New Zealand season, volumes are expected to be at 4.4 million trays, down almost a third on the 6.4m trays pulled from orchards during 2022/23, according to data from industry body NZ Avocado.Returns peaked for NZ exporters at $167.8 million during 2020/21, cont...

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