In South Africa most avocados in the northerly regions like Levubu, Mooketsi and Tzaneen have been picked, with the exception of some Ryan and Reed in the north and Hass from the Lowveld, while the harvest season for Fuerte and Pinkerton is currently underway in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, with Hass due to start later this month.KwaZulu-Natal growers have a window from mid-May to mid-October to the European market, where the majority of South Africa’s avocados are sent. During the latter period other major avocado producing countries are gradually exiting, creating an opportunity for late avocados from South Africa. Currently the province makes up 10% of the total South African avocado harvest, but it is on the increase.
“We normally harvest two to three months later than the northern regions of the country and we can supply Hass to Europe when Peruvian volumes are easing off the market, this however comes with other considerations. Leaving the fruit on the tree does provide challenges: exposing the crop to elements like hail and wind for a longer period, and increasing the risk of theft, as well as the risk of alternate bearing. In KZN we have a mature crop whilst the trees are flowering and setting the next season's crop, making them more susceptible to alternate bearing,” explains Athol Currie, chairperson of the South African Avocado Growers’ Association.
This year is generally an ‘off year’ for the South African industry, although the recent drought has affected volumes, but there are a lot of new plantings which are coming into production and giving reasonable tonnage.
“Greenskin production in the province generally lower than the 2016 season. The Hass crop in KwaZulu-Natal is not too bad,” Currie says.
While avocado size counts were generally on the smaller side in the north, due to the drought, KwaZulu-Natal was more fortunate with some rain in winter. “In fact, some of the Pinkerton are too large for the export market, with sizes up to count 8 on the younger trees. Pinkerton is also becoming more popular with informal traders due to its larger size. Young Hass trees also produce larger fruit, which is why we prune: it increases their juvenility.”
The Maluma variety in general gives a larger fruit than Hass, however Maluma plantings in KZN are limited.
As for prices, Currie says it’s still fantastic. “Exporting has maybe slowed down a bit but the guys are picking as fast as they can. Last week there was a bit of a bottleneck on the local market with Ryan from the north and our Pinkerton, but that has since cleared.”
The export window for late avocados from South Africa closes by October and November as fruit maturity becomes an issue and countries such as Spain, Mexico and Chile are placing increasing volumes on the European market. Therefore, Ryan avocados from KwaZulu-Natal are generally sold on the domestic market.
For more information:
Athol Currie
South African Avocados Growers’ Association
Tel: + 33 212 1264
Email: athol@tffgsa.co.za