A new 'landmark development” in the New Zealand avocado industry expected to increase returns by $280 million is being announced in Katikati this evening.

The Avocado Industry Council is partnering with the Ministry for Primary Industries in a new Primary Growth Partnership programme called Go Global being announced at a meeting at Saint Paul's Presbyterian Church.

Avocado Industry Council chief executive Jen Scoular and AIC chair Ashby Whitehead.

The five year programme will increase the productivity and capability within the avocado industry to deliver significant additional returns for New Zealand, with sales expected to increase to more than a quarter of a billion dollars by 2023.

Avocado Industry Council chief executive Jen Scoular says the programme is a landmark development and will help position New Zealand's avocado industry to capitalise on the growing demand domestically and in Asia, for premium, safe, and healthy produce.

'Part of this will involve developing a New Zealand avocado story to highlight the health and versatility of our avocados.”

The Go Global programme's vision is to equip the industry with the tools to triple productivity to 12 tonnes per hectare and quadruple industry returns to $280 million by 2023.

New Zealand aims to become the avocado supplier of choice in Asian markets, by gaining an early foothold, and a 'first mover” advantage in those markets, says Jen.

'A consistent supply of premium avocados and a unified marketing strategy which creates a point of difference for New Zealand avocados will drive this growth.”

The programme will address the industry's biggest challenge of low and irregular bearing.

Collaborative research, with strong cross industry participation will deliver best practice across the value chain which is transferred through a network of innovation leaders, rural professionals and growers, says Jen.

Avocado Industry Council chair Ashby Whitehead says the NZ avocado industry will be transformed to an efficient, well-informed, and highly capable industry, supplying premium health food to a number of high-value markets domestically and internationally.

'The programme includes co-investment from growers, packers, processors and exporters; it is a real cross-industry collaboration.”

The programme will have a strong focus on knowledge sharing across the avocado industry, which will also be able to be utilised by the recently successful ‘Avocados for Export' programme, funded by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, and led by Plant & Food Research.

Strengthening information flow, performance and efficiency will be achieved through the development of an information portal, increasing supply chain efficiency and benchmarking performance.

MPI director Justine Gilliland says a total investment of $8.56m has been secured for the programme, with MPI committing $4.28m across five years, and the balance coming from industry partners as a mixture of cash and in-kind contributions.

'We're excited by this new programme. It's the first horticulture programme involving fresh fruit in the PGP, showing the diversity of the industries involved in the PGP.

'We are thrilled to be part of the PGP—the industry is motivated and ready to capitalise on the real opportunities that exist for our industry.

'This PGP programme will see the emergence of a globally competitive, high value, sustainable horticulture industry delivering real returns to New Zealand.”

MPI and Avocado Industry Council will now negotiate and agree a contract so Go Global can formally commence.

The New Zealand avocado industry is the third largest fresh fruit export from New Zealand. The 2014-15 season will see the industry produce a near record of five million trays.

For more information visit www.nzavocado.co.nz/industry

The PGP aims to boost the productivity and profitability of New Zealand's primary sector through investment between government and industry.

It provides an essential springboard to enable New Zealand to stay at the forefront of primary sector innovation.

MPI is now seeking applications for new Primary Growth Partnership programmes.

The closing date for proposals is 12pm on Wednesday, June 24.

Visit www.mpi.govt.nz