Katikati recently claimed the title of being New Zealand's avocado capital – and this year's Avocado Expo at the Katikati A&P Show aims to showcase and celebrate this.

The expo, being sponsored by Avoco, is returning to the show on Sunday, February 3, 2019, offering some serious advice to those in the industry but also some fun-filled activities to attendees wanting to know more about the fruit.

Expo committee spokesperson Linda Flegg says show-goers wanting to learn more about avocados, to growers of the high-demand fruit wanting technical advice, can get some answers to their fruit-filled questions at the event.

'The expo's main aim this year is to promote Katikati recently claiming the title of being New Zealand's avocado capital,” says Linda.

'And it is to inform people about the growing and servicing industry of avocados in the Bay of Plenty – and to promote the fruit itself as a nutritional product.

'It's also there for growers to come and socialise, meet fellow industry representatives and ask any technical questions of the industry businesses on-site.”

The expo will be made up of a big marquee and wood-chopping demonstrations, also being sponsored by Avoco, along with trade sites highlighting avocado-related services and products.

'Here growers can talk with those industry representatives on all technical avocado topics – including 2018's Young Grower of the Year

Danni van der Heijden, who is part of Avoco's technical team.”

The other part of the expo is pure avocado fun – offering a range of competitions to join in or watch, and loads of activities for youngsters.

'There will be a tug-o-war competition – and we're encouraging packhouse workers to come along and participate,” says Linda.

'For the kids, Katikati Open-Air Art is running colouring-in competitions, we've got avocado decorating – where children can decorate

avocados and avocado 500 race cars to race down a racetrack – and we have avocado egg-and-spoon races.”

Linda says the expo is also an area where parents can have some downtime too while their children enjoy the activities – a new caterer will be cooking up avocado dishes for people to purchase, and the very-popular avocado beer – created and brewed by Stu Rocky Knob Brewing Company owner and brewer Stu Marshall – will return for those interested in tasting it.

'Plus committee member Anne Rowland will have loads of nutritional information and avocado recipes to give away.” The Katikati Avocado Expo is at Katikati A&P Show at Uretara Domain, Sunday, February 3. Gates open 9am.