Frosts have affected patches of avocado orchards across the Bay of Plenty region and the cold weather has delayed the export season.

Export is due to start in the next few weeks – shipping off an expected record crop.

Avocado Industry Council chief executive Jen Scoular says the cold weather has not helped with speeding up the maturity of the fruit, 'which could mean that we've got slightly less volume going out early on”.

'We've had some real frost issues, quite localised across Bay of Plenty.

'You can actually see when you drive down State Highway 2, a couple of orchards where some of the trees are looking quite rusty – which is not a good sign.

'So there's definitely been some frost damage, some quite severe in isolated patches; Paengaroa, Te Puke Te Puna.”

Jen says the market is looking strong to be exporting to America, Japan and Australia.

'The export markets are looking good for us. Prices in the US are still looking good, but that's before the Mexicans come in.

'We're pleased to see the dollar has come back a little bit.” Australia has more domestic fruit than forecasted.

'They forecast to be a long way down, they're slightly ahead of that,” says Jen.

'We do share our volumes between Australia and New Zealand, but they are never perfect numbers. It's very good to have the indications (for numbers), but with anything in horticulture – particular when it was been severely impacted by bad weather – you can't quite say what is coming off.”

Australia has also made a slight change in their domestic grade standards.

Good eating

'Consumers were advised that some of the fruit might not look quite as good because of the bad weather, but it still should be counted as very good eating fruit.

'They've allowed a bit more blemishes through, which might be why they've got a bit more volume than they expected.”

Jen is speaking with the Avocados Exporters' Council fortnightly to keep on top of where fruit is being sent this season.

'We can't stress enough the work Avec are doing collectively.

'They have agreed that they will endeavour to have 25 per cent of their volume going outside of Australia.

'We are having conference calls to talk about what the markets are looking like and the overall pattern of how shipments look – so we can address issues as they come up rather than when it's got to be an issue.

'It's just being proactive and recognising that it's a huge season and we've got to make sure that we're all on board.”

The industry is very positive approaching the season; AIC is estimating to harvest between 5.4 and 5.8 million trays, with about 3.5 million of those coming from the Bay of Plenty – double what was picked last year.

Jen says industry workers are prepared for the extra volume of fruit.

'Apparently all the pack houses are quite happy that they have enough harvesters and hydroladas – the two things that are potential issues.

'There probably will be some shortages of labour, but they believe they'll manage that.

'So they're feeling that they are ready; so ready, steady go.”

Jen says export is kicking off in the next two weeks with 'quite significant numbers going out”.

America and Japan are generally where earlier shipments go.