In a fresh push to reduce food waste and improve customer experience, Tesco has announced the trial of a pioneering avocado ripeness scanner in select stores across the UK. The technology, developed by Dutch agritech company OneThird, uses advanced infrared scanning to determine the internal ripeness of avocados within seconds—without shoppers needing to squeeze the fruit.
The trial is now live in five stores: Cheshunt Extra and Colchester Superstore in Essex, Stratford-upon-Avon Superstore in Warwickshire, Wokingham Superstore in Berkshire, and Salisbury Extra in Wiltshire.
By simply holding an avocado in front of the scanner, customers will receive a clear visual reading indicating whether the fruit is ready to be smashed—ideal for the ever-popular avocado toast—or better suited for slicing into salads and dishes.
This technology arrives at a time when avocado demand is booming. According to Tesco, the supermarket has sold almost 15 million more avocados in the last 12 months compared to the previous year, underlining the fruit’s status as a kitchen essential for health-conscious and trend-savvy consumers. Globally, avocado consumption has more than tripled since 2000, with the UK now consuming over 115,000 tonnes of avocados annually—roughly two avocados per person per month.
Ending the Squeeze Test
Tesco’s avocado buyer, Lisa Lawrence, sees the innovation as a big win for both customers and sustainability efforts.
“The new scanner takes out the guesswork,” she said. “It helps shoppers find an avocado that suits their immediate needs and plan for meals, all while avoiding unnecessary waste at home. Plus, by reducing the number of people squeezing the fruit on shelves, we’re cutting down on damaged stock.”
Squeezing avocados to test ripeness can bruise the fruit, often leading to spoilage before purchase. Studies show that as much as 10% of avocados are discarded in-store due to bruising caused by customers checking ripeness.
A Sustainable Step Forward
The trial is the latest in a series of initiatives led by Tesco and their avocado partner, Westfalia Fruit, a global supplier based in Spalding, Lincolnshire. In the past year alone, Tesco has eliminated over 20 million pieces of plastic from avocado packaging by introducing cardboard trays and paper wraps. They have also tested laser-etched barcodes to replace plastic stickers on loose avocados.
Tom Kearns, Head of Retail at Westfalia Fruit, said:
“Partnering with Tesco on the OneThird Avocado Scanner reflects our commitment to innovative, sustainable retail practices. It helps reduce waste while giving shoppers confidence they’re picking the perfect fruit every time.”
The Avocado Craze Continues
With avocado-based dishes continuing to dominate social media and brunch menus across the UK, Tesco’s scanner is expected to be a hit—especially among younger shoppers. On TikTok alone, the hashtag #avocadotoast has over 1.8 billion views, with recipes ranging from traditional smashed avo on sourdough to elaborate variations featuring poached eggs, spices, and microgreens.
As consumer demand grows, Tesco hopes the scanner will help align taste preferences with meal planning and shelf life, while playing a small but meaningful role in tackling the UK’s wider food waste problem—estimated to total 9.5 million tonnes per year across households, hospitality, and retail.
If the trial proves successful, Tesco may roll the technology out nationwide in the future.