Thabo Mavundza, managing director for Africa at Westfalia Fruit, says the company currently manages around 2,500 hectares of avocados under cultivation in South Africa and Mozambique, primarily for export markets. He oversees Westfalia's operations across the continent, including its nursery and packhouse facilities in Tzaneen, South Africa, where all the company's trees are propagated.
While the nursery previously produced 300,000 trees per season for both Westfalia and international growers, challenging global market conditions have led to a temporary reduction to 50,000 trees per season. Mavundza remains optimistic, noting that production will be scaled up incrementally in response to market demand.
To support the growing demand for avocados, Westfalia is expanding its tree nursery and planted hectares. South Africa's diverse climate allows for year-round production, and the company is working with various local communities to increase planting, aiming to boost supply by the fourth quarter of 2026. In Mozambique, where production is typically focused on the first quarter, Westfalia has established orchards with further expansion planned.
In addition to fresh produce, Westfalia processes avocados into guacamole and produces various avocado oils, crude, virgin, and refined, for use in industries such as food and personal care.
To support increased output, the company is upgrading its packhouses and expanding its guacamole production facility. Mavundza also noted that rising consumer interest in avocado oil has prompted plans to establish oil processing facilities in Mozambique and Kenya.
Source: African Farming
