South Africas avocado industry is soaring on the back of national and international demand. It aims to capitalise further on this by substantially increasing southern KwaZulu-Natals avocado production. Lloyd Phillips spoke to Athol Currie of The Fruit Farm Group South Africa.
Statistics provided by the South African Avocado Growers’ Association reveal that this sector currently consists of 17 500ha of commercial avocado (Persea americana) orchards that collectively produce an average of 118 000t of fresh fruit, valued at over R1 billion, annually.
Approximately 60% of this is exported to Europe and the UK, 30% is consumed locally, and 10% is processed into avocado purée or oil.
Historically, South Africa’s avocado production has been limited to the subtropical parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, which experience warm temperatures and above-average rainfall. However, the development of avocado varieties and rootstocks tolerant of more temperate conditions have opened up new areas for avocado production, particularly in southern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
To encourage avocado production, The Fruit Farm Group South Africa (TFFG SA) has recently substantially expanded and upgraded its avocado packhouse, known as Katopé Natal, in the Richmond area.
THE AIM: YEAR-ROUND AVOCADO SUPPLY
Athol Currie, general manager of TFFG SA’s Subtropical Farming Operations division, says that South Africa’s international and domestic clients are looking for a consistent 12-month supply of ripe-and-ready avocados from the industry.
“The closer to the equator our avocado production areas are, the earlier farmers have to harvest each year. In Limpopo’s Levubu area, harvesting starts in late February and ends around April,” he explains.
In contrast, southern KZN’s avocado harvesting season starts in mid-June and ends in November. This makes southern KZN ideally placed to extend South Africa’s avocado supply when production in the country’s north-east has begun tapering off.
Denne historien er fra Farmer's Weekly 12 October 2018-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Farmer's Weekly 12 October 2018-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
