Avocados Australia and the China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association (CIQA) have signed a memorandum of cooperation in Beijing, bringing Queensland avocados one step closer to gaining market access in China.

The Avocados Australia is based in Queensland and represents the interests of Australian avocado growers, exporters, marketers and wholesalers. According to the MOU, the CIQA will assist in sharing market information, help develop the necessary research and development framework to overcome market access barriers, and facilitate information sharing between Chinese regulatory market access agencies and the Avocados Australia.

Australian avocado production in 2021 is around 80,000 tons, increasing to 122,000 tons in 2022, and production is expected to exceed 170,000 tons in 2026. Australian avocado production peaks between April and December each year. Queensland is Australia's largest avocado producing state, with about half of all avocados coming from the state.

In terms of variety, the Hass variety accounts for about 83% of Australia's total avocado production and can be ripened all year round. The Shepard variety accounts for about 14% of the total production, mainly planted in Queensland, from February to April each year, mature and listed, is also the main variety available on the market at this stage.

Although Australian avocado production cannot compete with Mexico and South American countries, due to suitable growing conditions, production has exploded, and Australia's domestic market has been severely oversupplied. In recent years, there has been a large supply of high-quality avocados in the Australian market, and the industry urgently needs to explore overseas markets.

Currently, Australian avocados are mainly exported to Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. Australia exported 4,051 tonnes of fresh avocados in the 2019/20 season, just 4.63 per cent of the year's total. Exports in the 2021/22 season increased by 268% to 11,611 tons, accounting for 9.5% of the total production for the year.