It has been a good season according to Derek Donkin from the South African Avocado Grower's Association, "We will be just above estimated exports, at 58,800 tonnes, the estimate was 58,000 tonnes. It was a good season, the biggest export volumes ever for South African avocados. There were times that the market was full, due to the supply from Peru, but the market handled it well."
Donkin hopes that this market situation will continue. The avocado industry continues to grow, South Africa now has 15,000 hectares planted with avocados, 500 ha of new plantings this year, and every year new plantations reaching commercial maturity.
The EU remains the main market for South African avocados, with small volumes also going to Malaysia, Hong Kong and the Middle East, but they are also working on access to the US and Japan markets as well as China and Thailand. Sub-Saharan Africa is also a growing market for many South African fruits, this is happening as the retail chains open stores in counties such as Zimbabwe, Zambia and Angola. Donkin reckons that this will be a low base growth which will take time to grow.
For more information:
Derek Donkin
SAAGATel: +27 15 307 3676
Email: info@subtrop.co.za