TO grow a tropical crop in a Mediterranean climate might seem mad, but as prices for avocados skyrocket, many growers have decided it would be even madder not to give it a go.
A variety of factors have caused prices for the crop to triple since 2012, including a bad season in WA, Qld floods and cyclones, and New Zealand exporters opting for different markets.
As a result, SA avocado producers are expanding with confidence but experts warn that growing a crop native to Mexico in Southern Australia is no walk in the park.
The state reaps 1200 tonnes each year, with hass, reed and fuerte varieties predominantly produced in the Riverland region.
Waikerie-based avocado grower Kym Thiel is one of those feeling positive about the future, as he launches into a packing enterprise with his brother Craig.
By packing fruit from their 12-hectare orchard along with produce sourced from other growers, the pair are doing all they can to capitalise on favourable market conditions.
Kym accepts that prices will not remain at the levels they are now, but with a number of neighbours with prime avocado-growing land retiring, he says everything has lined up perfectly for an expansion of operations. For those looking to follow in his footsteps, he warns the crop is incredibly hard to grow in the Riverland as avocados struggle to cope with the region's heat and frost.
"They hate clay and water-logged soil, so what you want is land that is well drained, high enough to escape the frost but with immediate access to water," he said.
Recent heatwaves have been particularly demanding. Mr Thiel estimates some avocado growers have lost 80 per cent to 90pc of their crop.
He is trialling two different approaches to coping with the heat and thinks this summer will provide the definitive answer to which is better. He has invested in heat control systems for one plot of land while with the other he is just being vigilant and applying lots of water.
"This year will be good for telling me whether I have to make the investment into heat control or not," he said.
One man who is certain he knows the answer is Avocados Australia tri-state director Barry Avery.
"At the end of the day you are trying to grow a tropical tree in a desert environment – if frost doesn't kill it, extreme heat will," he said.
"You must have cooling systems and you must have frost prevention systems. Don't do those two things and you are doomed to failure."
Mr Avery knows a thing or two about avocado cultivation, having grown the crop for more than 30 years. But he went full-on into the business only a decade ago when he decided to replace his vineyards with orchards after identifying that the wine industry was in trouble.
In his role as tri-state director, he represents avocado growers in southern NSW, Vic and SA, regions that have been lumped together by Avocados Australia because of their common climate.
He believes Riverland growers are likely in the same boat as those in Sunraysia, where avocado orchards without chilling systems lost between 80 per cent and 100pc of fruit during the heatwaves.
"Avocados are unlike any other fruit," he said.
"They are so unforgiving of bad management practices – you can't go into a heatwave without a soil profile full of water."
Another challenge facing SA growers is a lack of specialised agronomists.
"You really need a good agronomist who understands avocados, and there just isn't one in SA," Mr Avery said.
"The nutrition program required is just about opposite to that of Qld, so you can't just go up to them for advice."
For those up for the challenge and with enough finance to install the infrastructure required, Mr Avery says SA enjoys many competitive advantages.
Local avocado orchards go into in production just when most of Qld and Northern NSW have finished their season, and before WA starts, which is traditionally a period of high NZ imports.
With NZ imports on the decline, Mr Avery believes that if enough investment is made into the SA avocado industry, Australia could become self-sufficient in avocado production.
* Full report in The South Australian Grower April issue.
