Packed full of nutrition and offering many health benefits*, Australian avocados offer great value to consumers both here in Australia and in the industry’s overseas markets. In 2023/24 Australian avocado growers produced 150,913 tonnes of avocados and they supplied quality avocados all year round. Of this volume, South Queensland growers produced 4%, 5,612 tonnes.** To support their growing efforts this year, a South QLD Avocado Grower Regional Forum is being held at the Highfields Cultural Centre (Sean McCarthy Way, Highfields) on Wednesday 26 March.
All South Queensland’s avocado growers, their orchard staff and packers are invited to attend this event. Matt Kleyn, the Chair of Avocados Australia, will be attending this event and he is keen to meet with growers in the region. Matt will be joined by Avocados Australia’s South Queensland Director and grower, Chip Saint.
“This is a valuable event, and I look forward to meeting with growers in the region to hear about any concerns or feedback they may have,” said Matt Kleyn.
The South QLD Avocado Grower Regional Forum is supported by Avocados Australia and is one of six regional forums that are being delivered this year around the country thanks to the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI). DPI’s ‘Avocado industry development and extension’ project (AV23010) is a Hort Innovation funded project, partly funded by avocado levies, that is responsible for delivering a range of events and resources to promote best management practices. The ultimate goal of the extension program is to enhance the Australian avocado industry’s profitability, preparedness and competitiveness.
As regional forum events are funded by avocado levies entry is free. Each regional event is developed by the Extension project’s regional leads after extensive consultation with avocado growers.
“Technical content for the forum has been developed with direct input from South Queensland growers through the project’s dedicated South Queensland regional lead, Shanara Veivers (DPI),” said Bridie Carr, Senior Extension Horticulturist at Department of Primary Industries, Queensland.
“This approach strengthens grower engagement and ensures the content is tailored to the specific needs and priorities of each region.”
A range of avocado experts will be speaking on the day and the technical theme for the forum is “Pest and disease management”. Places are limited so registration is essential.
South QLD is one of eight avocado growing regions operating in Australia. The Hass avocado variety is the most common variety grown in this region and growers harvest their fruit from May to the end of November.
The South QLD Forum will provide avocado growers and packers with the latest industry update as well as project updates of relevance to the region. Presentations will cover topics such as the Avocado industry extension project, an update on practical disease management, Spotting bug overview, Varroa mite management update, Citrus blossom bug overview and an overview of a new pest and disease project.
Speakers presenting on the day include Bridie Carr (DPI), Shanara Veivers (DPI), John Tyas (Avocados Australia CEO), Elizabeth Dann (Hort Health), Kempsy Adams (DPI), Paul Garland (QDPI), Dalton Baker (DPI) and Mary Burton (AAL).
Growers and speakers will also take part in Round Robin Sessions during the day.
According to John Tyas, CEO of Avocados Australia, the forum is an important event on the avocado farming calendar.
“Events like these provide growers with the chance to fact find and source the best advice to help them grow the best quality avocados that provide positive eating experiences for consumers,” said John Tyas.
Avocado industry members interested in attending the South QLD Avocado Grower Regional Forum should register online for free at https://www.trybooking.com/CYSKI
The Avocado industry development and extension project (AV23010) has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the avocado research and development levy, co-investment from the Department of Primary Industries Queensland, Western Australian Government Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.
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Key Facts:
To support South Queensland avocado growers' growing efforts this year, a South QLD Avocado Grower Regional Forum is being held at the Highfields Cultural Centre (Sean McCarthy Way, Highfields) on Wednesday 26 March.
About us:
About Avocados Australia – www.avocado.org.au - Avocados Australia (AAL) is the representative industry body for the Australian avocado industry. We provide a range of services to our members and the broader industry to foster growth and development. Avocados Australia is a not-for-profit member-based organisation and our members include avocado growers, associated businesses and industry people. Avocados Australia seeks to work with all parts of the chain, from production through to the consumer. By working together, we seek to continually improve the ability of growers to provide a healthy, profitable and safe product for all consumers.
Contact details:
For more information contact: Anna Petrou, Communications Manager, Avocados Australia Limited on (07) 3846 6566 or 0488 384 222 or co@avocado.org.au.
