Queensland produces 65 percent of Australia’s avocados with the Central Queensland growing region which includes the Wide Bay making up a large portion of that.
This year farmers have been reporting bumper crops particularly in their Shepard varieties with some growers reporting a 300 percent increase on previous years.
Whilst Shepards only account for around 19 percent of total production this increased supply has led to great prices for the consumer but not so much for the grower.
Hass is the main avocado variety, and the latest reports show consumption has fallen slightly not only for this product but for sweet potato, another staple product grown locally.
According to Hort Innovation statistics Aussies consumed on average 4.43kg of avocado per person in 2022/23, down 6.5 percent on the previous year.
We also consumed on average 3.15kg of sweet potatoes per person which is a significant drop on previous years.
So why does consumption fall?
There can be many factors that contribute, from cost and convenience to knowledge.
Awareness of how to cook fresh produce is something we’re passionate about and this year we’re pleased to partner with Thankful for Farmers at the Brisbane Ekka to showcase Bundaberg produce across many cooking demonstrations in the Woolworths Fresh Food pavilion.
Patrons can learn from six cooking demonstrations per day by chefs who will prepare healthy and easy meals using locally grown produce and I’ll be there to share facts and figures about our local farmers.
Thankful for Farmers will also be demonstrating their new Saveful app, an innovative app designed to help Queenslanders save food, time and money by providing chef-tested recipes based on ingredients you tell the app you have in your fridge.
If we can help make it easier for people to cook healthy meals, to make the most of the food in their kitchen and bring back the joy of family meals we can increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables once more and thus help our farmers bottom line.
As an organisation BFVG is here to increase the productivity and profitability of our farmers and that takes many forms, one day I can be writing ministerial briefings on policy affecting the horticulture sector, the next I’m standing next to celebrity chefs promoting our farmers and the clean, green produce they grow. The variety in my role is as diverse as the farmers we represent and that’s what makes it so interesting.
