Are Avocados in Season in April?

Avocados are available year-round in Australia, but the Hass avocados most of us love are in peak supply between June and December. Between January and May you can usually get your fix from fringe season Hass avocados or other varieties like Shepard and Reed.

When is Avocado Season in Australia?

Avocados are available year-round in Australia but are generally considered a spring fruit. Most avocados are delivered between August and November during the peak Hass avocado season.

Avocados grow well in subtropical climates and well-draining soil. The fruits have a unique growing process and between flowering to harvest they can take 9 to 18 months to develop fully.

Commercial growers in Australia typically use grafted trees to ensure consistent quality and faster production. Most avocado orchard don’t reach significant production levels until their third or fourth year.

The Australian avocado industry has faced several challenges in recent years, including the devastating floods in Queensland and Northern NSW in 2022, which damaged significant portions of our annual production.

Prior to that Australia had seen substantial growth in avocado production, with an almost 65% increase in tree plantings between 2017 and 2022. This led to a few seasons of oversupply, which is why we have seen some crazy price fluctuation over recent years.

Hass Avocado Season

Hass avocados are our most popular variety. They’re available from April to February, but the peak supply (and the best deals) are usually between August and November.

Hass avocados represent about 80% of Australia’s avocado production. They thrive in North Queensland’s tropical regions and Western Australia’s Mediterranean climate. Most of us love them for their rich, creamy texture. But growers and retailers love them for their good shelf life.

Availability typically decreases during summer and autumn months. During this time, Shepard avocados become the dominant variety.

Shepard Avocado Season

Shepard avocados have a much shorter season than Hass, typically available from February through April. They fill the gap when Hass availability declines.

These avocados grow mainly in North and Central Queensland, where the tropical climate suits them. Shepard avocados keep their bright green skin when ripe. They offer a nuttier flavor with firmer flesh that holds its shape well when sliced.

While most of us love our Hass avocados, we definitely respect the role of Shepard avocados giving us a smooth supply of avocados outside the Hass season.

Reed Avocado Season

Reed avocados have a short season in Australia. They’re available from January to April, during late summer and early autumn.

Reed avocados fill a specific seasonal gap between the end of Shepard season and before Hass production peaks. Albeit they’re much less common and make up only a small portion of commercial production. You’re more likely to find these in farmers markets than supermarkets.

Their limited availability makes them a seasonal delicacy. They are distinctively round and some say they are more buttery than other avocados.

Where do Avocados Come From?

Avocados originated in Mexico, with evidence suggesting they were first cultivated by Mesoamerican civilizations. Wild avocados evolved in tropical highland forests and featured significantly smaller fruits and larger seeds than modern commercial varieties.

The three main horticultural species grown today are Mexican, Guatemalan, and West Indian. Each is adapted to different elevations and climates, which means avocados can be grown in various conditions worldwide.

Australian avocados come from all over, with Queensland leading production at approximately 50% of our annual production, followed by WA (40%) and NSW (10%). North Queensland specializes in Shepard avocados. Early and mid season Hass avocados generally come from Queensland with most of the late season supply coming from WA.