New Zealand avocado growers are assessing crop losses after temperatures fell to around -5°C on the nights of August 5 and 6. The frost affected orchards in several growing regions, including the Bay of Plenty, as the harvest was building.

Fruit has dropped from trees, foliage has browned, and some early flowers appear to have been lost. Fruit that falls to the ground or shows frost damage is excluded from export and domestic supply.

Domestic growers in the Waikato have also reported crop losses, leaf damage, and concerns about flower buds developing ahead of spring. Previous NZ Avocado research found severe frost damage in 93% of floral buds examined on unprotected young Hass trees following a damaging frost year.

The frost comes as New Zealand's avocado industry enters the 2026 season with a July estimate of 7.4 million 5.5kg trays, approximately 40,700 tons, 6% below the initial forecast. In 2024-25, the country produced about 41,800 tons, with 3.795 million trays exported and 3.804 million trays supplied to the domestic market. Avocado export earnings reached approximately NZ$109 million (US$64.4 million) in the year to June 2025.

NZ Avocado currently expects only a relatively small reduction in total available fruit and says committed export markets should still be serviced. However, the final assessment of frost damage has not yet been completed.

Export programs are already underway to Asia and Canada, with Australia scheduled later in the season. Lower marketable volumes could affect the availability of fruit across these markets and the New Zealand domestic supply chain.

The extent of the impact will depend on the final assessment of affected orchards and the development of the remaining crop.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com