General News
1 April, 2026
Growers clarify Shepard avocado availability
FNQ Growers president Joe Moro has moved to clarify the supply status of a locally grown variety of avocados following signage that appeared in food retailers last week.
Mr Moro stated that there is no shortage of Shepard avocados.
He said there had been a bumper crop and that weather conditions had not been an issue in production nor delivery.
“However, returns on avocado production have fallen below the cost of production,” Mr Moro said.
“Added to that current fuel and fertiliser costs are scary.”
He alleged that the retail duopoly that existed in food retail in Australia “keep pushing small farmers out wherever they can”.
He encouraged people who know a farmer to give them a hug adding: “It’s tough out there.”
One local grower said that seven years ago he was selling avocados at $3 each, but Coles and Woolworths had been selling large Shepard avocados for $1 each.
“Growers must be losing money at these discounted prices while other supermarket product lines have all gone up in price,” he claimed.
