The horticulture industry welcomes the new technical market access for Australian Hass avocados to India. This new access is expected to provide a significant boost to the Australian avocado industry, supporting the sector's continued growth over the long-term.Announced as part of a joint statement between the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, this new access demonstrates the positive impact political support has on achieving new and improved technical market access for Australian horticulture exports."The future success of Australia's horticulture sector is underpinned by creating and capitalising on export opportunities. While trade agreements are important, the horticulture industry relies on technical market access to draw benefits from reduced tariffs and improved trading conditions, so to see new market access for avocados is a great result for industry" said Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) CEO, Claire McClelland.This new access will enable the avocado industry to leverage the benefits of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA). The Australia-India ECTA will see the elimination of tariffs over six years for avocados; coupled with technical access there is now an opportunity for Australian avocado growers to begin to explore trade opportunities with India."India is an emerging market for Australian fresh produce, with Australian citrus growers exporting more than $18 million of oranges and mandarins to India in 2019-21. We see there being a substantial opportunity to grow avocado exports to India, which will support avocado growers export ambitions," said Ms McClelland.The Australian avocado industry is currently experiencing significant pressures as rising input costs, extreme weather events, a lack of new consumers and other challenges take their toll on the sector. The Australian avocado industry, like many other fruit and vegetable producers, is heavily reliant on increasing international market access to sustain and grow their businesses.A key part of accessing vital export opportunities for the horticulture sector is the requirement for technical market access protocols. The AFPA has previously called on Government to prioritise new technical market access for fresh produce with key trading partners as a strategic objective."The fresh produce industry in Australia has excellent potential to drive export growth. The new market access achieved for Australian avocados for India, announced jointly by Australian and Indian Prime Ministers demonstrates that high level political and Ministerial support for industry, backed by good science and good produce is the way forward to improve export opportunities for the fresh produce industry" said Ms McClelland.About AFPA - The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) is made up of Australia's key fresh produce growers and suppliers. AFPA members represent half the industry turnover of the Australian fresh produce (fruit and vegetables) sector - $4.5 billion of the $9.1 billion total; 1,000 plus growers through commercial arrangements and more than 15,000 direct employees through peak harvest, and up to 25,000 in the grower network.
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