Avocados

The Good Mood Food

An Aussie Staple

We market Hass, Shepard & Maluma varieties of avocados from farms located in the Atherton & Bundaberg regions in Queensland.

Shepard avocados are characterised by their smooth green skin and nutty buttery flavours. They are only grown commercially in Queensland and are available from approximately February to April. Shepard avocados represent approximately 15% of total domestic production.

Hass avocados are characterised by their pebbly textured skin that changes from green to purple/black as the fruit is ripened. They are available from approximately May to July and makeup over 80% of avocados produced and eaten in Australia.

From the Aztecs to Australia

Avocados first arrived in Australia in 1840 in seed form and were planted in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney. Commercial imports of seed and plants continued over the next 110 years until by the late 1960’s a developing Australian industry began to take shape.

Currently, avocado orchards are found in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, and Tasmania. Avocados are a perennial fruit and Australian premium produce is available all year round because of the widespread and climatically diverse growing regions. The highest volume of fruit is available between March and November.

This exotic fruit was first transported to Europe in the 16th century after the Spanish conquistadors invaded Mexico and Peru. When the Aztecs discovered the unique greenish-coloured fruit with a seed in the centre, they dubbed it ‘ahuacatl’, which has evolved over the centuries into the word avocado.

Healthy Fats and Good Mood Food

Avocados are rich in healthy, good fats. In fact, avocados are the only fruit apart from olives to contain monounsaturated fats.

Research has found that people who eat avocados weigh less, and have a lower BMI than people who avoid the delicious fruit.

We need two serves of fruit and five servings of vegetables a day. While technically a fruit, avocado is often used as a vegetable paired with savoury flavours - guacamole anyone? 

The nutrients found in avocados can help keep your immune system fighting fit, support mental performance, combat tiredness, and even support a good mood (with a unique combination of niacin, folate, potassium and vitamin B5 that help your brain and nervous system perform at its best). 

This amazing fruit can also boost the nutrition of other healthy foods. Research shows adding avocado to a salad can increase your ability to absorb goodies from other colourful ingredients five-fold (e.g., lycopene from red tomatoes and beta carotene from orange carrots).

Delicious Avocado Recipes

Here’s some recipe inspiration for avocado lovers:

  • Packed full of flavour with every bite. Get the recipe HERE

  • Three delicious variations for Guacamole. Get the recipe HERE

  • Perfect for meal prep or healthy lunch ideas. Get the recipe HERE

  • A zesty, spicy falvour-packed dish. Get the recipe HERE

  • A fresh take on smashed avocado toast to make at home. Get the recipe HERE

Our Avocado Growers

  • Howe Farming Group is a second-generation family-owned company. Tom and Yola Howe began growing tobacco and vegetables in the early 1950’s in Bilwon, located just outside of Mareeba, Queensland and the first bananas were planted in 1996.

    Howe Farming Group own numerous farms strategically located across the Atherton Tablelands in North Queensland. The group employs over 450 staff including seasonal workers and has grown to become the largest private employer on the Tablelands. The business is owned by Dennis and his 3 sisters – Christine, Geraldine, and Bernadette, and maintains a corporate structure.

  • Established in 2007, Leadwood Farming is a fourth generation family-owned and operated farm with a hands-on approach. Located in Far North QLD approximately 90 km South West of Cairns, the family produces and packs premium avocados, limes and macadamias in Mutchilba and Dimbulah.

    With favourable climates, cold winter nights and hot days, the Tropics provide the perfect growing conditions. A passion for working on and with the land drives the family to produce quality crops for people to enjoy.

  • Michael Coulson manages and operates Coolio Farms in Walkamin North QLD, growing Avocados, Lady Fingers and Custard Apples. Coolio Farms maintains Freshcare, Harps, Great Barrier Reef and Eco Certification to help guarantee the quality of his produce for our customers and to continually support ongoing ecological sustainability for future generations

  • Situated on the Southern part of the Atherton Tablelands 600m above sea level, Laurelgold’s avocado farm at Mount Garnet produces some of the earliest fruit of the season due to its location and climate.

    Having grown premium bananas in Innisfail since 1983, Rohan Collins and his family established the avocado farm at Mount Garnet in 2019. Rohan and the team at Laurelgold continue their passion for premium fresh produce and take pride in providing consumers with fresh new-season avocados at the beginning of the year.