LIMPOPO – South Africa’s avocado industry is set for a strong export season, with an estimated 22 million 4kg cartons expected to be shipped this year.

The increase is driven by new plantations established across the country, as well as favourable cool weather and good rainfall between September and December, which benefited the crop.

According to Derek Donkin of Subtrop in Tzaneen, the industry exported about 19 million cartons last year.

Approximately 95% of South Africa’s avocados are exported to Europe, with France, Germany, and the United Kingdom among the largest markets. The remaining volumes are sent to the Middle East and other African countries, while small quantities are exported to India and China.

South Africa has not yet gained access to the American market due to phytosanitary restrictions. Efforts to resolve these barriers are ongoing, but progress has stalled amid strained political relations, Donkin said.

The harvest season begins in February in the northern regions and continues through to December in southern areas, including the Eastern Cape and George. The Magoebaskloof and Haenertsburg areas are also able to harvest later in the year due to their cooler, high-altitude conditions.

The avocado industry contributes approximately R3.5b to South Africa’s GDO.

Donkin also said that the sale of immature fruit at the national fresh produce markets has declined in recent years.

This improvement follows efforts by the South African Avocado Growers’ Association, which appointed Prokon to conduct early-season maturity inspections. However, theft of avocados from farms remains a concern, although the extent of the problem differs from one region to another.