AUCKLAND - New Zealand will welcome thousands of international avocado experts in 2023 after winning the bid to host the 10th World Avocado Congress (WAC).
The five-day conference will bring the world's leading avocado growers, researchers, marketers, tech innovators and investors to New Zealand.
New Zealand, which contributes 2% of global avocado production and is the world's ninth largest avocado exporter, was up against Mexico, the largest avocado exporter in the world, and Kenya, the sixth largest exporter of avocados globally, in the competitive bid.
New Zealand's bid was led by Tauranga-based NZ Avocado, which represents 1,350 New Zealand growers, with support from Tourism New Zealand, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the New Zealand Embassy in Colombia.
"We're delighted that the World Avocado Congress is coming to New Zealand. This is a huge boost for our local avocado industry and a chance to showcase New Zealand's horticulture industry to thousands of influential international guests," said Tourism New Zealand's Global Manager for Business Events, Lisa Gardiner.
"It also provides the opportunity to access innovation, global knowledge and science to support the growth of the sector."