The Project

The 2006 Queensland Avocado Project is a registered agribusiness managed investment scheme that produces avocados for profit.  Following Timbercorp entering liquidation and FABAL’s appointment as the responsible entity, the project now comprises 630 hectares of avocado and mango trees on 6 properties near Childers, south of Bundaberg in south-eastern Queensland.

Avocados

The avocado is the fruit (technically it is a berry containing a large seed) of the evergreen avocado tree (Persea americana Mill.).

The avocado originated in Mexico and has been cultivated in Central and Southern America for centuries.  Following the arrival of Europeans, avocados were initially served only at the tables of aristocracy.  As it became more available and with higher public awareness of its inherent nutritional benefits, the avocado has become an essential part of a healthy lifestyle available to all.

Avocados have a delicious nutty flavour and have been adapted to the cuisines of virtually every ethnic group in the world.  Continuing growth in the popularity and use of the avocado in salads, sandwiches, dips (particularly guacamole), purees, fruit drinks and cold soups is also driving demand.

Our Location

Avocado trees require winter night temperatures of 5-10°C to promote good flowering but do not tolerate frost. Temperatures of between 20-30°C are required during the day to provide good fruit set, and they require well-drained soils – avocados are very susceptible to water logging.

The Childers region has a long history of producing high yielding, good quality avocado crops over the past 30 years. It has an ideal microclimate for avocado production due to its slightly higher winter temperatures that are conducive to flowering and fruit set. This region also benefits from some coastal sea breezes during the hot summer months which help to reduce heat stress.

The average annual rainfall of the Bundaberg/Childers region sits within the ideal rain band for avocado production – approximately 1,200 mm.

The Queensland Orchard is situated on a basaltic ridge of red kraznozem soils. These soils range from a minimum depth of 3 to 20 metres, which is ideal for avocado growth, particularly when considering Pythophera root rot, which is a problem in poorly drained shallow soils.

Water Requirements

Avocado trees require regular watering to supplement the natural annual rainfall. To produce the quality of avocados expected for this project, the Queensland orchard at full maturity will require approximately 8 megalitres of water per hectare, given the region’s relatively high rainfall.

Water Supply

Water entitlements have been purchased to provide the necessary irrigation for the orchards.  The water is drawn from the channel system that forms part of the Bundaberg Water Supply Scheme Irrigation Area.

The project currently has access to 3,878 megalitres of water or 75% of the water requirement for the avocado trees at full maturity. The balance of the water is purchased seasonally on the open market in accordance with the National Water Initiative, as required as the newer established orchards mature.

Irrigation System

Water is supplied to the orchards at Childers either directly from boreholes or dams on the blocks or fed by the Bundaberg Water Supply Scheme irrigation channels.

Water is transported through a series of pumps and mainlines according to the irrigation design commissioned for the orchards.  The irrigation water is then supplied to the avocado trees via a network of under-tree sprinklers.

The under-tree sprinkler system is considered the most effective irrigation system for avocados, as it ensures watering of the entire root zone and maintains an optimal level of under-tree humidity for tree growth.

The irrigation system is controlled by a computer network which enables the efficient application of water through centralised control. Back-up pumps are also located on the orchards and generators are available for extended power cuts – this ensures that any breakdowns do not jeopardise the trees health.

Avocado Varieties

The mix of avocado varieties used in the Project has been selected to ensure that market requirements are met and that production will extend throughout the available season.  This provides consistency of supply to the markets.

The most important avocado variety in Australia is the Hass variety from California, representing 75% market.  Hass also dominates world production.

It is by far the most important variety due to its high consumer acceptance and its ability to perform across a range of environments. It has excellent shelf life and is distinctive for its skin colour that darkens to a purplish black as the fruit ripens, allowing consumers to know when it is ready to eat – instead of pressing and damaging the fruit that is a problem with ‘green skin’ varieties.

The seed in the Hass avocado also tends to be fairly small which provides a good amount of edible flesh per avocado.

Hass is grown almost all year round in different regions of Australia, and is the predominant variety used in this project.

The Shepard variety is the earliest available avocado in the Australian market.  It was first introduced in response to consumer demand for an early Australian avocado that yielded consistent quality fruit.

Shepard is grown widely on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland and in the Bundaberg region. Unlike other varieties they do not change colour when ripe.

One of the late-maturing varieties is the Reed avocado, a prolific cropping, large, round fruit of excellent quality. It is a quick ripening avocado with a shorter shelf life compared to Hass.

Reed is grown throughout Australia and its production peaks in November.  Its thick smooth green skin, large size and high quality flesh make the Reed a strong option for retailers who desire to offer consumers a variety of choices.