Avocado industry export supply group AVOCO has been working with Bay of Plenty police over recent thefts in the region.

In the past few days, they have passed on reports from growers who witnessed an attempt by someone to sell suspected stolen avocados at Mount Maunganui, as well as suspicious activity near avocado orchards north of Tauranga.

AVOCO director Alistair Young says AVOCO treats reports of this nature very seriously.

'Growers value the time and effort police put in to investigating these incidents. Our growers work hard in their orchards all year to produce premium quality export fruit. It's then incredibly frustrating for growers when they visit a local store to see what they suspect is stolen fruit being sold at a cut-price value.”

Reports of stolen fruit being traded are a reminder for many growers to review their orchard security, says Alistair.

'Efforts have been made at an industry level to heighten awareness about this issue. Now, everyone is on high alert for suspicious activity and they're taking measures to make their crops more secure.”

Western Bay of Plenty Police Sergeant Trevor Brown says if a shop owner knowingly has purchased stolen avocados, they could potentially be charged with receiving stolen property, which carries a maximum imprisonment of seven years.

'By purchasing and on-selling these stolen avocados, you are encouraging these thefts to continue. I urge you to ask the hard questions. If you don't purchase from doubtful sources, these commercial thefts will stop.

'Support orchardists, your fellow business owners, and don't purchase these stolen fruit. If we work together, we can combat this issue.”

Police report an Auckland man jailed for avocado thefts last year has recently been found in Tauranga with more avocados in his car.

He has been processed for drunk driving and is part of the enquiry into recent thefts in the area.