South Africa’s avocado trade is present process a notable transformation.
Historically dominated by the subtropical north-east, avocado cultivation is more and more taking root in cooler southern areas just like the Helderberg Basin and Riebeeck Kasteel — whereas George within the Backyard Route is rising because the standout development space.
Final Might The South African reported on how avocados have change into more and more widespread amongst fruit farmers within the Western and Southern Cape.
At a latest South African Avocado Growers Affiliation (Saaga) occasion held simply exterior George, specialists and trade gamers gathered to debate the area’s booming potential.
Dr. Man Witney of Nice Brak Avos revealed that avocado cultivation within the Western Cape has expanded from 135 hectares in 2017 to over 1 250 hectares right this moment.
“We harvested simply over 3 000 tonnes within the 2024/2025 season, and with new orchards coming into manufacturing, we count on between 5 000 and 6 500 tonnes this yr,” he mentioned.
This southern shift in manufacturing brings strategic benefits. The Western Cape’s distinctive local weather permits producers to reap later within the season — from September by January — after the principle Lowveld crop has ended.
This opens a crucial window for exports, significantly to Europe, the place demand for avocados continues to surge.
Export prospects apart, native customers are additionally prone to profit. Witney famous that home markets had been undersupplied final season, which brought on costs to spike.
With a bigger crop forecast for 2025, native avocado provide through the festive season is predicted to extend — a growth that would assist stabilise costs.
Using fashionable farming tech
Stellenbosch College in the meantime is bolstering this development with important analysis funding within the George area.
To that finish, the college’s subtropical analysis unit has partnered with worldwide tech agency NIK Group to trial AI-enhanced ‘agridrones’ able to lifting as much as 60kg.
Dr. Anelle Blanckenberg, the college’s lead researcher on subtropical fruits, emphasised the significance of embracing precision farming applied sciences.
These improvements may help preserve South Africa’s world competitiveness, significantly as producers search entry to new markets in China and India.
“The Western Cape local weather gives a gorgeous alternative to increase the export season to Europe, with its sturdy demand for avocados as a superfood,” she added.
Do you assume avocados ought to be out there year-round?
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