Monitoring avocado quality at retail
Project partner
Hort Innovation
Duration
2019-2023
Summary
Fruit quality is one of the biggest issues currently facing the avocado industry. Surveys of avocado quality over recent years have found 20–25% of fruit in stores have significant levels of bruising, internal rots, or other disorders. Poor fruit quality reduces consumer satisfaction and sales.
Applied Horticultural Research (AHR) is measuring avocado fruit quality nationally at supermarkets, independent and speciality retailers using an intensive sampling strategy and thorough assessment methodology. Information is being recorded on factors such as quality of store displays, fruit age, pricing and, potentially, differences in fruit quality between the back and front of store. Regular assessments are being conducted in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, providing at least 567 separate quality assessments each year.
Detailed, timely feedback on quality of specific batches of fruit is being provided to packhouses. De-identified data from sampling is being analysed and communicated to the broader avocado industry, leveraging current industry investments and quantifying shortcomings in fruit quality.
Project outputs:
For more information contact
Adam Goldwater, Applied Horticultural Research Pty Ltd
