Room for growth in the South African avocado sector
Over the last five years, The South African avocado sector harvested approximately 125,000 tons of avocados per annum. The area under commercial avocado orchards stands around 14,700 hectares, with new plantings of about 900 hectares added per annum. The avocado sector contributes to at least 11,500 jobs on farms and packhouses. South Africa expects an uptick in avocado exports this season of 66,000 tons compared to 60,000 tons in the previous season.
This is according to Derek Donkin, CEO of the South African Subtropical Growers’ Association (Subtrop), who presented at PMA South Africa’s live broadcast, in partnership with Beanstalk.Global on 22 April. Leading sector experts who joined the discussion were Trevor Dukes, CEO of The Fruit Farm Group SA (TFFGSA), Lindie Stroebel, Southern Africa Country Manager at Mission Produce (“Mission”), Roger Armitage, Managing Director at Hall Fresh Produce, and Joe Shaw Roberts, Consumer Insight Director at Kantar.