Agri minister meets with local avocado growers
The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza met with the South African Avocado Growers’ Association (SAAGA) at Magoebaskloof Hotel last week.
Didiza discussed a range of issues with the representative of SAAGA, chief executive officer, Derek Donkin.
She spoke about transformation within the farming community, the export markets and the transfer of skills to farm workers.
The minister was joined by Greater Tzaneen Municipality executive committee members responsible for economic development, Sannie Tiba and Leon Matita of Ward 7.
After the meeting, Didiza, and her entourage visited Mangeke Estate, a 275ha avocado farm in Magoebaskloof owned by Peter Malungani of the PEU Group.
SAAGA said that the Limpopo province currently produces 48 % of all avocados in South Africa. South Africa produces between 80 000 to 120 000 tons of avocados per year.
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Between 45% and 50% of South Africa’s avocados are exported and 10% – 15% is processed into oil and pulp. The rest is sold locally.
The main importing countries of South African avocados are Europe – particularly the Netherlands, France and Spain, the UK and the Baltic countries.
Small volumes are exported to Africa, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
The South African government and industry leaders are negotiating market access to the USA, mainland China and Japan. Currently, strict phytosanitary requirements limit access to these markets.
Peru, as another southern hemisphere producer, is South Africa’s most serious competitor, both in volume and timing, for the supply of avocados into northern hemisphere markets.
