Police are warning avocado growers of a "significant spike" in thefts from orchards as prices soar.
Four men targeted an Athenree orchard in the Bay of Plenty, but fled before police arrived. Police said they were expecting a spike in thefts from avocado orchards because of soaring avocado prices.
A 200g avocado was $5.06 in May, up 37 per cent from $3.69 in April. The price in May this year was up 50 per cent from $3.38 in May 2017 - the highest price for avocado in Statistics New Zealand records.
Katikati avocado grower Bruce Polley said prices rose when supply was limited. He would be chaining up his gates to help ward off would-be thieves.
"There is a small group of people out there who are avocado fanatics, who will pay whatever price for avocado."