From Bolivia to Florida via Australia as Achacha Finds a New Global Home

An unusual tropical fruit once found mainly in backyard orchards across Bolivia's Amazon Basin is emerging as an example of how agricultural innovation can create entirely new horticultural industries.

The achacha, known locally as achachairú or "honey kiss", has been cultivated for generations in Bolivia. Yet it was Australian growers who established the world's first large-scale commercial plantation in North Queensland in 2003, investing years of research into propagation, irrigation, pruning and post-harvest handling before the first commercial harvests appeared in 2009.

Now that Australian experience is helping shape a second commercial chapter in Florida.

Bass Regenerative Farms, south of Miami, has planted more than 2,000 achacha trees after laurel wilt disease devastated between 40% and 60% of the family's certified organic avocado production. Looking for a crop capable of thriving under similar subtropical conditions while offering growers product differentiation, the Bass family turned to Australian commercial experience with the fruit.

Unlike many emerging crops, achacha demands patience. Trees can take seven to ten years before meaningful production begins, making long-term commitment essential.

Its sweet, aromatic pulp, natural acidity and long shelf life have helped the fruit gain attention in Australia, where exports now reach Europe, Asia, Canada and the Middle East. Growers are also investigating value-added opportunities including beverages, desserts, sauces, honey production and functional food ingredients rather than relying solely on fresh fruit sales.

For New Zealand, the story extends beyond one exotic fruit.

It illustrates how countries with suitable climates can build entirely new horticultural sectors by identifying under-commercialised crops, investing in production systems and developing global intellectual property around cultivation rather than competing only in established commodities.

As climate zones continue shifting, the next generation of high-value horticulture may increasingly come from forgotten regional crops that are successfully commercialised elsewhere.

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