The CEO of the New Zealand Avocado Growers' Association has resigned. The Chair of the Association, Linda Flegg, announced Jen Scoular's resignation after 12 years in the role.
"Jen has served us tirelessly over the past 12 years with many achievements. When Jen took up the role after a four-year term as a trade diplomat in Hamburg, Germany, our industry was struggling and lacked engagement, communication and systems, which gave Jen much to focus on," said Flegg.
Flegg continued, sharing that under Scoular's leadership, industry value increased from 82 million NZD in 2011 and 2012 to 231 million NZD in 2021, simultaneously increasing the New Zealand market value from 19 million NZD to 62 million NZD.
During Scoular's tenure, the industry successfully achieved market access for avocados in both the China and Indian market, joined the biosecurity partnership with the government and achieved the first horticulture primary growth partnership in 2014, which finished in December 2022.
With Crown investment, the successful primary growth partnership allowed real change in how the industry operated, with strong external investment across several areas, where investment from grower levies alone was insufficient to make the required change.
The PGP required the industry to put together a five-year plan and, later, a business plan to extend the programme and funding for a further three years. Those strategic plans were reviewed and approved by an independent panel of experts, and the PGP itself had an MPI industry steering group with an independent chair.
That external, independent contribution to the strategy and governance of the sector provided additional, independent thinking and ensured the plan optimised delivery for the industry.
Linda Flegg shared that the 10th World Avocado Congress here in New Zealand was a fitting finale for Jen, and with five years in the planning, it was a phenomenal success against the odds of the pandemic and border closures.
Eight keynote speakers from five countries and 130 presentations from 16 countries allowed the global sector to discuss opportunities and challenges. The sector faces significant increases in supply not yet matched by investment into market demand, and global media seeks to challenge the sector's sustainability. The congress shared some decisive actions being taken across sustainability in most producing countries and activated a call to take back the narrative on sustainability collectively.
"With 1,160 delegates from 33 countries, the congress was a wonderful opportunity to put our industry and New Zealand on the world stage."
Field days on the two days leading up to the congress took 760 delegates on 18 buses to 10 different locations, allowing many of the 750 overseas delegates to see the innovation and passion of New Zealand's avocados orchards.
"Delegates loved the open-hearted welcome from the Kiwi hosts."
Scoular developed and led a fantastic team that works together to support growers, packers, and marketers to grow the value of the New Zealand avocado sector.
Flegg stated that this team was instrumental in the success of the World Avocado Congress and the value created for the avocado sector from the visibility achieved.
Scoular will remain in the role until mid-August and will take the opportunity to farewell some 1,400 avocados growers across the growing regions.
Flegg shared that Scoular always loved the part of her role that was out on orchards meeting growers and seeing the innovation happening in New Zealand orchards. Scoular will remain an avocado grower and member of the organisation.
"On behalf of the Board, growers and industry parties, we thank Jen for her commitment to delivering value to growers through a very strong growth period and growing the visibility of our sector and avocados, both in New Zealand and globally. She has left a legacy requiring some big shoes to fill."
