New Zealand avocado growers have been set an ambitious target to treble orchard production to 12 tonnes a hectare and quadruple industry returns to $280 million by 2023.

Those targets were set last night when Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy announced a Primary Growth Partnership programme worth $8.56 million has been approved to lift industry performance and returns.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy – second left – with AIC board members (from left) John Cotterell, John Schnackenberg and board deputy chairman Tony Ponder and CEO Jen Scouler at last night's major funding announcement.

Around 150 growers, some from as far away as the Waikato, attended last night's road show to hear the announcement of the funding which the Avocado Industry Council, led by CEO Jen Scouler, has been working on with Ministry for Primary Industries for two years.

Called ‘Go Global', the programme is a five year partnership between the AIC and MPI, and will receive $4.28 million from the Government via PGP funding, with and the balance coming from industry partners as a mixture of cash and in-kind contributions.

"This is the first PGP programme involving the horticultural industry and will help the industry work together to capitalise on the growing demand here and overseas,” Nathan told last night's grower road show. "Australia is currently the biggest market for New Zealand avocado, but this project will help expansion into Asian countries where there is major potential.It will also work to improve best practice on orchards, tackling the unpredictable yields the industry often faces due to weather conditions and management.

'This is a prime example of what the PGP is designed to achieve, boosting productivity and innovation across the primary industries.

'The programme will also focus on sharing knowledge across the industry. It's great to see New Zealand's primary sectors working collaboratively to increase value and benefits not just for this sector, but the wider New Zealand economy,” he says.

Avocado grower of Katikati, Huilton Paul, says the target of lifting production from around four tonne a hectare to 12 is a big ask for growers.

'I am pleased the industry has received the funding and the opportunities it offers but to achieve the increases in production will require an attitude change among a lot of growers with the realisation that avocado orcharding is a business and not a hobby,” says Hilton.

Ongare Point orchardist Matthew Heller believes the targets are not only achievable, but also essential.

'Unless we can increase orchard production we are not profitable. This funding is a really good thing for the industry and right now I'm a very happy avocado grower,” he says.