New Zealand Avocado has launched the sector's 2012/13 season in Auckland, amid expectations of a total crop of around 2.5m 5.5kg trays, of which 1m are likely to be consumed within national borders.
Last year New Zealand exported a record 3.7m trays valued at NZ$63m, making avocados the country's third-largest fresh fruit export.
The not-for-profit organisation, which works on behalf of the 1,600 or so growers based mainly in the Bay of Plenty and Northland, announced that Nadia Lim would be the sector's 2012/13 ambassador.
The winner of New Zealand's 2011 Masterchef title will spend the season highlighting the health benefits of eating avocados and creating recipe ideas.
