Industry body, Avocados Australia, could finally gain the export chance it has been awaiting since 2013 if China clears the Aussie fruit.

The first breakthrough occurred in November 2024 at the China International Import Expo, where both sides signed an avocado deal. 

Since then, the industry has secured pre-orders valued at A$300 million ($190.5 million) with Shanghai Huizhan International Trade.

As soon as China’s customs finally gives the green light, the above deal would quench a major thirst for Australia.

So enamored with China’s prospects has the Aussie industry been that in the interim it has been exchanging avocado processing technology. 

One such promotion took place in 2021 when Australia’s Anderson Horticulture established nursery partnerships in southwest China’s Kunming.

The Far-East prospects are ripe because of the fact that China has surpassed Japan as Asia’s biggest avocado importer.

Although 64% of the 66,000 tonnes of avocado that Beijing imports annually come from Peru, there is still space for others.

This space could enlarge during the ongoing tariff war, which is forcing China to foster new bilateral ties.

One such tie is with Australia, whose trade with China has recovered since a COVID-19 period lull. In 2023 and 2024, China removed punitive duties it had imposed earlier on its partner’s barley, wine and lobster.  

This leaves Aussie avocados to finally break their lengthy anticipation, although first they need domestic prioritization as an export. 

According to Richard Magney of Avocados Australia, the sector will prioritize long-term Sino-Aussie avocado trade.

So, how will the next decade shape up for a sector that has waited a similar duration to get a nod for shipments? The statistics below answer this question by examining the current facts about Australia’s avocado industry.

Aussie Avocados Statistics 

Australia is among the top 25 avocado-producing nations, with an annual capacity at between 77,295 tonnes (2020) and 115,385 tonnes (2023). As the table below courtesy of FAOSTAT shows, production has generally been increasing since 2021. 

Avocado production in Australia: 2019-2023

Year	Production [tonnes]	Hectares
2023	115,385	19,137
2022	96,946	17,892
2021	85,986	16,376
2020	77,295	15,185
2019	79,533	16,218

In terms of exports, the country ranks 15^th worldwide, with exports worth US$53.8 million or 0.7% world share, as of 2023. Any given year, Australia exports around 1/10^th of its production. In 2022 for example, exports hit 10,976 tonnes, according to Avocados Australia, while production was at over 96,000 tonnes. 

Imports, on the other hand, are usually as much as exports due to the strong domestic appetite for the superfood. In 2022, Australia shipped in 13,980 tonnes of the fruit at a value of A$57.71 million ($36.6 million). 

Is China a competitor of Australia in avocado trade? 

Although China produces more avocados than Australia, it is not a competitor for it consumes its production bulk. Currently, China is under negotiations to import Aussie avos. This could be easy as neighboring Hong Kong is already Australia’s bgggest avocado destination, representing 47% of exports, as of 2022.