HORTNEWS APRIL 2023
Cream of the crop – Page 4
WWW.RURALNEWS.CO.NZ
ISSUE 32
Showcasing New Zealand horticulture to the world!
Sudesh Kissun sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
NEW ZEALAND may only produce 2% of the world avocado crop but the sector is a key part of our horticulture sector.
Jen Scoular, president of the World Avocado Congress Committee and chief executive of New Zealand Avocado, says last week’s Avocado Congress held in Auckland offered an unprecedented opportunity to promote NZ’s avocado industry to
LAST WEEK’S 10th World Avocado Congress was a great opportunity to showcase New Zealand’s agriculture sector to the world, says NZ Avocado chief executive Jen Scoular. More than 750 overseas delegates enjoyed field day visits to sites across the North Island. The week-long event attracted a record 1100 delegates. Most overseas delegates are involved in other horticulture crops and will be taking back great memories from the week-long event, Scoular says.
the world. “Though we only produce about 2% of the global avocado supply and we’re the ninth largest avocado exporter in the world, avocados are NZ’s third largest horticulture export behind kiwifruit and apples,” she told
Hort News. “We play a significant part in the country’s horticulture industry.” Last week’s congress attracted 1100 delegates, including 750 overseas delegates made up of growers, scientists, researchers,
marketers, retailers, tech innovators, and investors. Scoular says many were visiting New Zealand for the first time. Overseas delegates toured eight locations, including sites in Glenbrook, Tapora, Whangarei and the Bay of Plenty to get a taste of NZ avocado and orchards. Scoular says given the unprecedented weather in NZ, which has raised food security concerns for parts of our primary sectors, the topics explored at the congress were relevant for all Kiwis. “It was incredibly timely to hear experts talk about the future of food, climate change and the global impacts on horticulture,” she says. “It’s been a tough few years for kiwi growers and the whole industry has faced ongoing challenges with the supply chain and rising costs of production.” The World Avocado Congress is held every four years, with previous events hosted in Colombia, Peru, Australia and Chile. The theme for the 2023 Congress was ‘Respectful: respect for people, respect for the environment and respect for our future’. “Respect for people and land plays a special part in Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural identity and, as the global avocado industry continues to evolve, respect must be at the heart of this growth,” says Scoular. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
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