FoodWaikato spray dryer processes avocado powder for export

Dehydrated avocado doesn’t exactly sound like a taste sensation, but it could be a high-value product for Bay of Plenty company Avocado Oil New Zealand.

The company is using New Zealand’s only open-access product development spray dryer at the Waikato Innovation Park to dry avocado pulp into a high-value powder for use in cosmetic, nutraceutical and food products marketed under the Avopure brand. It will be sold initially in Australia, the US, Japan and China.

FoodWaikato Plant Manager Dave Shute with the dehydrated avocado.

The FoodWaikato spray dryer is part of the New Zealand Food Innovation Network, a national network of science and technology resources that supports NZ food and beverage businesses to grow and develop. It has predominantly been used for drying milk, so drying avocados presented some unique challenges.

“We did our first trial run in January, which introduced us to the challenges of dealing with a fruit that is fibrous, highly viscous and oxidises rapidly if exposed to air,” said Plant Manager Dave Shute. The plant also needed to be cleaned to the highest food safety standards so it was ready to process milk again within 24 hours of the avocado trial.

“Once the Food Innovation Network was established a few years ago, we had huge support and it’s got us to the point of finally being able to develop a commercial product,” said Brian Richardson, Executive Director of Avocado Oil New Zealand.

“Before coming to FoodWaikato, we used the FoodPilot facility in Palmerston North to help us with research and development. We did our first small-scale trials with Peter Walker Consulting in Auckland and gearing up to commercial production at FoodWaikato was the final step that proved we can do it.

“As a result, Avocado Oil New Zealand can now access an entirely new export market.”

Avocados are just one example of the different food products that can be processed at the FoodWaikato plant. “We are talking to around 10 different companies at the moment who want to do trials with us and several of those are fruit and vegetable products,” said Shute.

“We want to get the word out to food innovators within New Zealand and throughout Australasia that we’re here to help. If you have a great idea for a new dairy, fruit or vegetable product that requires drying, come talk to us.

“FoodWaikato’s purpose is to contribute to the Waikato Innovation Park’s wider aim by supporting food innovators. Avocado Oil New Zealand’s story is just one example of how we’re making that happen.”