Australian avocados gained entry into the Indian market this weekend, though final approval is subject to the success of ten trial shipments. Exporters and industry bodies have commended the Australian and Indian governments on reaching this agreement.
The Australian Government’s Hass avocado market access agreement with India is underpinned by a $3M investment into research to support the export of the fruit.
“With the industry now capable of producing a strong supply of Hass avocados, having access to an overseas market such as India will be a ‘game changer’ for our industry,” said John Tyas Chief Executive Officer of Avocados Australia.
“We acknowledge that final approval of the protocol will be dependent on 10 successful trial shipments, and we are very confident we can achieve that. The Australian Government has worked very hard and closely with industry to achieve a commercially viable and
workable protocol that all Australian Hass avocado growers will be able to use.”
“We believe there are great opportunities for Australian avocados in India and it is a market with enormous growth potential,” said John Tyas.
The Avolution has announced its premium quality Hass avocados are heading to the Indian market.
Antony Allen, CEO of The Avolution, said, “India is a fast-growing market for avocados and just beginning its love affair with avocados, and we are thrilled to bring our premium quality Hass avocados to Indian consumers. We undertook an extensive market investigation tour in January 2023 to, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi to assess the market and retail situation in preparation for the opening of the Indian market for us.”
“This new market access is a great opportunity for us to expand our export business and strengthen our relationship with Indian consumers, and we look forward to building a long-lasting relationship with our Indian customers.”
Some of Australia’s top scientists partnered with the avocado industry to develop phytosanitary data that shows the health and safety of Australian Hass avocados is in line with India’s import requirements.
Hort Innovation chief executive Brett Fifield said in-market consumer insights gathering, inbound trade missions and strategic planning through a targeted export strategy have also been a focus for the industry.
“Getting to the point the Australian Government has with India today is no small feat,” he said. “As well as significant work by the Government, this trade agreement, which is enacted after 10 successful shipments, has been informed by hundreds of hours of research. That includes developing novel phytosanitary measures for the fruit, which involve rigorously applying treatments to our avocados to prove they are pest and disease free with no impact on quality.”
Mr Fifield said the phytosanitary risk science Hort Innovation delivers with agencies, such as the CSIRO, contributes to international research in this field.
For more information:
John Tyas, Avocados Australia j.tyas@avocado.org.au
Antony Allen, The Avolution ceo@theavolution.com.au
Brett Fifield, Hort Innovation communications@horticulture.com.au