07 July 2023
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise of new protocol requirements for the export of Hass avocados to Thailand.
Summary of changes and key points
- Market access under the conditional non-host status pathway has been granted for Hass avocados to Thailand.
- The protocol includes phytosanitary requirements for the export of Hass avocados from Australia to Thailand and has been published in the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor).
- The protocol requires accreditation for farms and packhouses for the Thailand market.
- Farms and packhouses who applied for Thailand accreditation as per IAN 2023-12 will be subject to pre-season audit by us in mid-July 2023.
- Those farms and packhouses no longer wanting to participate can withdraw from the Thailand export market by formally advising Horticulture Exports within 7 days from publication of this IAN.
- Exports to Thailand will only commence after audit and verification of the export pathway has been completed by the Department of Agriculture (DOA) Thailand. This is currently scheduled to begin at the end of August 2023.
- We will work closely with the peak industry body Avocados Australia Ltd to facilitate the DOA Thailand audit and verification requirements prior to the commencement of exports.
Background
In May 2023, we finalised a new protocol pathway for Hass avocados to Thailand under a hard green non-host pathway, with DOA Thailand.
Farms and packhouses intending to export Hass avocados to Thailand must be accredited by us and are also subject to audit by DOA Thailand, prior to export.
Countries with protocol markets have specific requirements for importing Australian produce.
Exporter responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the exporter to meet the requirements of the protocol.
The protocol is available in the 'Documents' section of the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor).
To register for Micor, go to the registration webpage, complete all fields and then click ‘Submit’. You will be provided with your login details by email.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN, please email Horticulture Exports.
If you have any questions regarding the new market access to Thailand, please email Avocados Australia’s Export Development Manager.
Rossana Carr
A/g Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch