With a month still to go in the South African avocado export season, volumes are on a level with mid-season estimates at 12.4 million 4 kg cartons. This is almost double last year's export figure of 6.9 million 4kg cartons. Last year was of course an alternate year, and this was combined with a lot of hail damage.
Rudolf Badenhorst from South African Subtropical Grower's Association, Subtrop, says it has been a good season with few problems. There were periods where there was some pressure on the markets due to large arrivals from various origins in certain weeks.
The main destination for South African avocados remains Europe, with most of the fruit arriving in Rotterdam before being distributed to other countries.
According to Badenhorst the arrivals will start to wind down in week 39, with the last planned shipments arriving in week 44.
For more information:
Rudolf Badenhorst
Subtrop
Tel: 0027 15 306 6244
Mail: [email protected]
www.subtrop.net