The chief of Australia’s largest fresh produce grower is calling on the Albanese government to help open up international export markets as it grapples with an oversupply of avocados.
Costa Group’s avocado business is getting smashed as an oversupply has led to decade-low retail prices.Costa chief Sean Hallahan is now calling on the federal government for assistance in gaining greater access to the Japanese market as a “matter of urgency for the greater good of the avocado industry”.
“It is vitally important for the new Albanese government to prioritise export market access for horticultural products into key markets, most prominently Japan. A whole of government approach is needed to gain access to Japan for eastern seaboard grown avocados,” said Hallahan. “Disappointingly, this is an opportunity that through lack of urgent action continues to go begging.”Costa’s avocado business was unprofitable last year, too: in 2021, revenue fell 21.7 per cent, after which Hallahanto “get out there and tell your friends to … order the odd smashed avocado breakfast”.