Avocados remain a staple in Australian diets, with an average consumption of over 4 kilograms per person annually. However, stringent supermarket standards and selective consumer preferences result in substantial amounts of avocado waste each year.
In Western Australia's avocado hub, an initiative aims to address this issue. Lawrence Cheng, with an engineering background, observed significant waste at farms due to produce being undersized, damaged, or discolored. "I was working previously as a tech advisor in precision agriculture. Every time I would go visit farms, I would see a lot of waste," he said. He questioned how this waste could be mitigated.
Avocados that fail to meet market specifications are often left in fields or sent to landfills. Cheng noted, "[Avocados] are usually left on the farm if it's not going to the fresh market — it could be disposed of in a manner they deem environmentally and economically feasible." This scenario led Cheng to plan the opening of an avocado oil processing plant in early 2024, providing an alternative for local producers.
The project, still in its nascent stage, has garnered interest from local growers in Manjimup, a region noted for avocado production. "We are working with packhouses in the region to divert fruit from landfill to be turned into extra virgin avocado oil," Cheng stated. The facility, primarily self-funded, has already converted over 90 tons of waste into oil, with a processing capacity of up to 2 tons per hour.
Manjimup orchardist Kirsty Fontanini, who operates a packing shed, has collaborated with Cheng's facility by sending several tons of third-grade avocados. "It's adding value to something that is otherwise unsellable," Fontanini said, highlighting the alternative to dumping unsellable produce.
Australia faces an annual food waste challenge of 7.6 million tons, with households and primary production as major contributors. Cheng's plans include processing other regional produce waste. "It doesn't just have to do with avocados, it's whatever the region holds," he said, expressing interest in partnering with local growers to explore further possibilities.
Source: ABC News