Avocado price hits $6 high

An avocado market expert predicts a grim future for lovers of the fruit as the New Zealand supply hits a low.

A fruit and vegetable store in Milford was selling loose New Zealand Hass avocado for $6 each this week, but shoppers weren’t deterred.

Full-time employee at Greens, Cindy Wang, said the store's current price point has not affected sales.

Market manager for New Zealand Avocado Bevan Jelley said the spike in price is a supply and demand issue.

“We’re at the lowest level of supply we’ll see until the new season’s crop comes in,” said Mr Jelley.

“The trees aren’t able to continue to hold onto [this season’s] fruit, they’re having to drop it because of the amount of resource being used to grow new fruit.”

New Zealand Avocado predicted in their recent supply update that avocados could run out completely until next season.

“There is a high probability of a four to six-week period in May/June with no avocados available in New Zealand,” said Mr Jelley.

In addition to the shortage, the demand for the fruit in New Zealand has grown exponentially.

“Household consumption grew by 90,000 new households in New Zealand consuming avocados compared to the season prior,” said Mr Jelley.

He said the increase in demand could be a result of high-fat-intake or paleo-like diets growing in popularity.

“More people are becoming aware of the health benefits of avocado.”

Although currently out of season, this is a record high price for New Zealand avocados at this time of year.

A 2013 New Zealand grocery price guide from an emigration website valued an out-of-season avocado at $1.49. However, the average price for an avocado this off-season is $3.99.

Mr Jelley does not see New Zealand avocados rising over this price point in the future.

“The season that’s approaching [starting in July] is a very large volume, it’s looking like it could be a record crop.”

Auckland avocado-lovers voiced their pricing concerns on social media.

Beth Mackinnon said she couldn’t fuel her avocado addiction on a student budget.

“The maximum I would pay is $3 each, but even that is a stretch.”

Some mentioned seeing organic avocadoes priced as high as $7.99 in the Auckland suburb of Ponsonby.