Trade delegation from India, Japan, Thailand and Gulf region visit South West to learn about region’s avocados

The arrival of an international trade delegation to the South West this week is hoped to open new export opportunities for one of the region’s growing offerings. The State Government and Avocados Australia will co-host the delegation from India, Japan, Thailand and the Persian Gulf region as they tour the region. It is understood delegates will visit the Bunbury Farmers Market while in the South West, before they meet avocado producers and packers in Donnybrook, Manjimup, Pemberton and Busselton. Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said the State Government was working with industry to make WA a preferred supplier of the fruit both overseas and at home, highlighting funding for research and development. “It is great to see demand for WA avocados continuing to build across Asia and the Middle East, adding to established markets in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong and strong domestic sales,” she said. The value of avocado exports from the State increased by more than 400 per cent last financial year, growing from $7.1 million in 2022-23 to $36.8m in 2023-24. Among some of the reasons behind the trend is the tripling of avocado shipments to Japan to 1044 tones, the restart of the avocado trade in Thailand after a decade and Gulf region states accepting shipments of the fruit by sea. WA reached record high avocado productions last year, with the 65,000 tonnes produced expected to grow as more orchards reach full maturity. Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie said booming avocado exports was good news. “This trade mission will give international buyers the opportunity to experience the quality of WA’s avocados firsthand,” she said. Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns said increased access to markets for the fruit were creating jobs. “It’s exciting that international delegates will be in the region to see how this premium product is picked, packed and ripened before it is exported around the world,” she said.