Australian avocado producers are worried prices could drop to record low levels as this seems to become bumper season across the nation’s key avocado growing regions. The largest production region is in Queensland. There, the price of Hass avocados has plummeted to just $12 per tray farm price.
Earlier this month, peak industry body Avocados Australia’s online retail pricing report has listed the price of an avocado at about $1 each in major supermarket chains across the country. However, growers are concerned prices could dip even lower, amid projections a further 8.2 million trays will be picked in WA this summer. As reported on abc.net.au¸ this would amount to a 233 per cent increase in production on last year.
Oversupply of avocados hits Queensland supermarkets
Avocado lovers may be rejoicing over the bargain prices, but for avocado growers this is the year they’ve been dreading. High yields and thousands of trees across the growing regions coming into production, combined with water shortages forcing some growers to harvest earlier than normal, has resulted in the market being flooded by fruit and prices nosediving.
In some instances, farmgate prices have dropped by almost 50 per cent. According to northqueenslandregister.com.au both growers and industry representatives don’t anticipate a significant rise anytime soon.