This week 1,100 international experts descended on Auckland’s Aotea Centre for the 10th World Avocado Congress to discuss all things avocado.
The Congress brought together growers, scientists, researchers, marketers, retailers, tech innovators, and investors from 32 countries around the world; the largest event of its kind in Aotearoa.
Many of the 750 overseas visitors were visiting Aotearoa for the first time. This included 200 from Mexico, 80 from the United States, 130 from over the ditch and 50 from South Africa.
Congress delegates spent two days visiting avocado operations in Glenbrook, Tapora, Whangarei and the Bay of Plenty.
Fast Facts
World Avocado Congress
- Mexico is the largest exporter of Avocados in the world
- The World Congress is held every four years, previous hosts have included Colombia, Peru, Australia and Chile
- The three day academic programme included sessions with eight keynote speakers and more than 130 presentations covering topics such as the future of food, sustainability, climate change, food trends, food security, agritech innovation, global supply chains and the lifecycle for avocado production.
Avocados in Aotearoa
- 1400 growers
- 1800 orchards
- 5,000 hectares of production
- $123m industry value 2021-22
- 7.5 – 9 million trays per annum
- 14 international markets
