Smashed avo lovers rejoice as cheap avocado prices here to stay
Farmers are calling on Aussies to eat more avocados, as an oversupply will see cheap prices stick around a little longer, according to a recent report.
Amid ongoing fruit and vegetable price rises and the resulting struggle with the rising cost of living, it's welcome news to avocado lovers with record low retail prices of $1 each seen in June.
The report, by agribusiness bank Rabobank, estimated the per capita supply of avocados is up around 26 per cent on the previous 12 months.
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The supply of avocados is up an estimated 26 per cent since last year. Max Mason-Hubers/Newcastle Herald
It's all down to the maturing of local avocado trees in the past season, which has resulted in a bumper crop that will require both "increased domestic demand and larger export volumes".
"Industry forecasts that domestic avocado production will expand by 40 per cent (or 50,000 tonnes) in the next five years, reaching 173,000 tonnes in 2026," report author Pia Piggott said.
"The good news is consumers' appetite for the likes of smashed avocado and avo smoothies remains healthy, both in Australia and abroad – with local demand forecast to continue to grow while consumer demand is also expanding in offshore markets, providing Australia's export sector with a platform for growth."
In 2021/22, the average volume of avocados consumed by each Australian household increased 31.2 per cent on the previous year.
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Avocados consumed by each Australian household increased 31.2 per cent. Instagram
Farmer and Avocados Australia chairman Jim Kochi agreed an increase in global export markets was necessary. But he also had a simple message for Aussies.
"It's one of the superfoods, I guess, and we just need Australians, those lovers of avocados, just pick up one more," the QLD farmer told ABC.
"And those who haven't got the [avocado] bug yet, just have a go."
Avo lovers were quick to react on social media, with many welcoming the news of cheap avocados for a while longer.
"Demand for houses down, supply of avocados up. Simple economics," one person quipped on Twitter.
"Challenge accepted," another wrote, while a third said: "Send em my way!"
Apples also down in price
Apples have also gone down in price year-on-year. Getty
Aside from avocados, there's another piece of fresh produce that has actually gone down in cost year-on-year, and it's in season now: Apples.
Australian grocery comparison app Frugl Grocery keeps a close eye on the cost of fruit and veg and recently released its inaugural Grocery Price Index (GPI).
The report showed that while grocery prices have risen by 6.75 per cent in the last 12 months, apple prices have been falling across most Australian states.
The cost of apples in Queensland is actually down 27 per cent, while Tasmania has seen the biggest price drop of 35 per cent in the last quarter.
It seems after months of news about floods causing the destruction of lettuce crops, the high price of beans and an anticipated potato shortage, there are thankfully still some fruit and vegetables that are available or there are easy alternatives and swaps for.
