Local avocado growers must note that the sale of immature avocados (which will not ripen properly) is prohibited in terms of the Agricultural Product Standards Act.
Inspectors from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) will be testing maturity levels of early season avocados offered for sale. If avocados are found to be immature, the sale of this fruit will be prohibited.
In the past, avocados found by inspectors to be immature were downgraded to “lowest grade”, but could still be sold. However, since 2014, the sale immature fruit will be prohibited. Avocado growers are advised to ensure that their fruit meets the required maturity standard before picking. For the cultivar Fuerte, fruit moisture content must be 80% or less. Reputable avocado packhouses are all able to carry out the necessary maturity testing.
Inspectors will be checking avocado maturity on the National Fresh Produce Markets. Growers should be sure that their avocados are properly mature before harvesting to ensure that they do not run the risk of their fruit being prohibited from being sold. For further information on maturity testing, contact the Subtropical Growers Association (Subtrop), tel. 015 307 3676/7.
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