Avocado exporters agree whole-heartedly with a new Government report which suggests their sector has huge growth potential in Asia.
At the same time the complete lack of market access to Asia's biggest market - China - is an avocado-sized stone in the sector's shoe. And one it hasn't been able to dislodge.
A report commissioned by the Government recently suggested New Zealand could become a fruit bowl to Asia and that avocados, blueberries and cherries were three fruit which stood out as having great growth potential.
In the avocado sector there has been a significant increase in tree plantings in the past five or six years - particularly in Northland.
AVANZA, an export group representing New Zealand's largest avocado growers, said the industry wants to ensure that new fruit coming online has new markets to go to.
Spokesman Steve Trickett said the industry is trying to stop all their exported avocados ending up in the one basket.
However, Steve Trickett the avocado industry's efforts at developing Asian markets have been hampered by the complete the lack of progress in getting access to its biggest market - China.
