In South Africa, avocado cultivation, initially predominant in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, has extended to the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, and now to the Southern and Western Cape due to increased demand and the pursuit of year-round production. The expansion into the Cape regions, now accounting for approximately 5% of the national output with 1,000 hectares planted, reflects a broader trend of diversification across varying climatic zones, sometimes influenced by climate change.
This diversification includes the introduction of apple varieties suitable for warmer climates, enabling cultivation in northern South Africa and Namibia, and the extension of the avocado season in the Southern and Western Cape, with harvests from October to January. This not only aids in meeting local demand but positions South Africa for future exports to large markets like India and China. The establishment of avocado orchards in areas such as the Helderberg Basin and Riebeek Kasteel exemplifies this growth, with the Southern Cape poised to become a significant production area.
Source: thesouthafrican.com