The South African Subtropical Growers Association (Subtrop) has cautioned that avocados will be scarce from January to mid-February before the new season commences.
Despite the near year-round availability of South African avocados, thanks to new plantings in high-altitude areas of Limpopo, KZN, and the Western Cape, a two to three-week shortage is still expected.
Subtrop CEO Derek Donkin has urged avocado growers to ensure their avocados are mature before harvesting to ensure proper ripening. He warned against the temptation to harvest immature avocados to exploit high early season prices and highlighted the common issue of avocado theft before they are ready to pick.
Donkin emphasized that selling immature avocados, which will not ripen properly, is prohibited under the Agricultural Product Standards Act [119 of 1990]. Inspectors will test the maturity levels of early-season avocados offered for sale and if found to be immature, their sale will be banned.
He advised avocado growers to ensure their fruit meets the required maturity standard before picking, adding that inspectors will also check avocado maturity on the national fresh produce markets. He warned growers to ensure their avocados are mature before harvesting to avoid the risk of their fruit being rejected and the cost of removing immature fruit from the market.
Source: citizen.co.za .