AVOCADO producers Paul and Maria Bidwell hoped to work less when they moved from their avocado orchard in Western Australia to North Motton, near Ulverstone, Tasmania.
And things are quieter – to some extent at least. But their six-year-old orchard is flourishing in the rich North-West soil and Mr Bidwell said the couple had some serious questions to ponder as they plotted their next move.
“We wanted to downsize and come somewhere where we didn’t have much work – well, shock horror,” Mr Bidwell laughed. “One thing’s for sure, Tasmanians will be enjoying good quality avocados.”
The Bidwells’ three-hectare orchard boasts about 1200 trees groaning under the weight of healthy green avocados.
Launceston greengrocer Young’s Vegie Shed sells the fruit and since January the Bidwells have had a stall at the city’s Harvest Market.
Despite popular perception, avocados grow well in cooler climates. The fruit originated in the mountain regions of Mexico, Guatemala and the West Indies.
Increasing temperatures in Tasmania may have climatologists shuddering but have spelled good news for growers of the adaptable fruit.
The Australian industry average has one hectare of trees producing an average of seven to eight tonnes of fruit.
“We thought if we could achieve that average we’ll be pretty good,” Mr Bidwell said. “Next year in parts of the orchard we’re looking at 15 to 20 tonnes per hectare.
“In one sense I haven’t been unhappy that Peter Cundall has been telling everyone you can’t grow avocados here because that gives me not a lot of competition, but clearly you can grow them here.”
The increase in production is good and bad news for the couple, who are considering whether they can manage such a high level of operation.
There is appetite interstate for Tasmanian avocados but freight costs and the process’s impact on quality could pose challenges, and whether there is enough demand inside Tasmania for the product is another question entirely. However, Mr Bidwell said, the fruit could clearly become an area of growth for the state.
“I think the future here for avocados is quite bright,” he said. “This is a place where we could consider growing them commercially on a bigger scale.”
One thing’s for sure, Tasmanians will be enjoying good quality avocados.
- Paul Bidwell, North Motton
