The last shipment of avocados will arrive in Europe in week 44. This is not so unusual explains Derek Donkin, CEO of the South African Avocado Growers’ Association (SAAGA). "It has sometimes gone on a week or two longer but it is normal for it to come to an end in October."
South Africa exported 13.5 million 4.5 kg boxes of avocados this season, (54,000 MT), this is up on last year's total which was just over 50,000 MT, but that was an off year. This year's volumes would have been much higher if there had not been wide spread hail. In comparison, the 2014 export figure was 60,000 MT.
However, volumes for this season would have been lower had it not been for the new plantings which came in to commercial volumes.
Domestic market
The South African local market is strong and growing well and a rising expectation for avocados year round means that they will certainly have to import until the domestic supply begins again, around the end of February or beginning of March next year.
“Our avocados were smaller and a little more blemished than normal. In addition, there was no out-of-season crop on the trees this year – fruit that is usually picked in October, so the season has ended early for the domestic supply,” Derek explains. “There will, however, be very limited quantities of avocados available from some late-producing regions in South Africa over the next few weeks.”
“Suppliers will start importing avocados from November 2016. Due to the high cost involved in buying and shipping these avocados from Spain and Israel, there will be an increase in the price this summer,” Derek notes.
"The fluctuation of the Rand makes it difficult to say how much the avocados will cost, but at the high end of the market they are in demand and people will pay for them and expect to have them there year round."
2017 season
Many farmers have already reported strong flowering on their trees for the 2017 season, but all agree that the success of the season will depend on how much rain is received.
“There is potential for a good crop in 2017, but this is dependent on adequate rainfall in October and November, as it dry and the dams are low. There is a chance we could see smaller fruit again next year, with some blemishing, but as with this year’s avocados, these marks won’t affect the quality of the fruit inside. Consumers can still look forward to same high quality taste and texture they have come to expect from our local avocados,” said Derek.
With increased demand from South African consumers for avocados, farmers are increasing their plantings of avocado trees.
For more information:
D
erek DonkinSouth African Subtropical Growers Association
Tel: +27 15 307 3676
Email: derek@subtrop.co.za
www.subtrop.co.za