New Zealand Avocado will present a bid to host the 2023 World Avocado Congress (WAC) event in New Zealand when the industry group attends the forthcoming WAC in Columbia this September.
If successful, this would be the first time New Zealand has hosted the event. NZ Avocado will find out whether their bid is successful at the 2019 WAC.
Held every four years in different countries, the WAC takes place over four days, and would bring to New Zealand more than 2,000 of the brightest minds in avocados – including growers, researchers, marketers, tech innovators and investors from around the world.
Chief executive Jen Scoular said the New Zealand avocado industry had experienced real growth with excellent returns resulting in significant new investment into the industry.
“This is our chance to showcase the industry and celebrate avocados here in New Zealand,” she said.
“New Zealand has developed an amazing horticulture industry with impressive innovation, and is committed to offering our global avocado friends what may be a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit our stunning country.”
NZ Avocado chair Tony Ponder emphasized the opportunity for the industry and for New Zealand in seeking the hosting rights.
“It is a terrific opportunity for our own growers to attend a world event, network with some of the largest producers in the world and learn first-hand about current and emerging innovation and technology.”
Tourism New Zealand has endorsed the bid. Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand Stephen England-Hall said Tourism New Zealand was fully supportive of the New Zealand Avocado Growers’ Association’s bid to host
the WAC.
“Events like this benefit New Zealand by bringing together local and international experts whose knowledge and experience will help boost the New Zealand avocado industry while also showcasing our expertise in this sector on the world stage,” he said.
“The avocado industry employs thousands of New Zealanders, providing jobs across the country.
“The congress will provide access to global science and innovation that can be used to further grow the sector, benefiting the country and New Zealanders,” said England-Hall.
The New Zealand avocado industry is growing with a strategy in place aimed at quadrupling sales to $280 million and tripling productivity by 2023.
New Zealand is the ninth largest international avocado exporter globally.
There are more than 4,000 ha of avocado trees planted in New Zealand, primarily in the Bay of Plenty and Northland.
WAC’s purpose is to expand knowledge and the event is a considered by the industry to be a great opportunity for growers and industry professionals to hear about and discuss the changing global avocado landscape.
