SUBTROPICAL FRUITS TYPES

The South African Avocado industry consists of 12 000 ha of commercial avocado orchards, the majority of which are situated in the North Eastern part of the country in the

Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Avocados are also grown commercially in certain areas of KwaZulu-Natal Province. Annual production is the region of 90 000 t, of which

approximately 40 000 t is exported the Europe and the United Kingdom. The remainder of the crop is consumed domestically and approximately 10% is processed (oil and purée).

The South African Avocado Growers’ Association (SAAGA) has a voluntary membership accounting for 85% of export production. The aim of the association is to improve the

profitability and sustain the viability of growing avocados in South Africa. SAAGA’s activities are funded by its members and include technical research, extension

services, generic promotion to develop the local and export market, and the provision of marketing information.  Generic promotion is based on public relations techniques

and accounts for 45% of SAAGA’s budget. Current trends in the industry include consolidation within the export business, private cultivar development, integrated fruit

production, processing, growth of the South African market and efforts to access new markets.

Avocado production in South Africa is concentrated mainly in the warm subtropical areas of the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces in the North East of the country between

latitudes 22 oS and 25 oS. Annual rainfall in most of these areas is high (> 1000 mm p.a.), but there are some orchards in semi arid regions with rainfall of ± 400 mm p.a.

Approximately 8% of commercial avocado orchards are in KwaZulu-Natal province where the conditions are cooler due to the more southerly latitude (± 30 oS).

The South African Avocado season extends from mid-March to September. Due to climatic variability between growing regions, most of the major cultivars are available over an

extended period during the season. For example, ‘Fuerte’ is harvested from mid-March to May in the northern regions, and is harvested in July and August in KwaZulu-Natal.

The avocado industry in South Africa expanded steadily in from the early 1970s to 2003, with plantings of  ±2000 ha in 1970 increasing to ±12 000 ha in 2003. Growth in

plantings, however, has slowed since 2003 with total area planted to commercial avocado orchards remaining stable at around 12 000 ha. ‘Hass’ and ‘Fuerte’ are the major

cultivars each accounting for 37% of the area under avocados. Details of cultivar composition are provided. Due to the European Market’s preference for ‘Hass’

less ‘Fuerte’ has been planted than ‘Hass’ in recent years, and in many cases ‘Fuerte’ orchards have been re-planted to ‘Hass’.

Approximately 70% of the trees produced by avocado nurseries are ‘Hass’ and the remaining 30% is comprised mostly of ‘Fuerte’, ‘Ryan’ and ‘Pinkerton’. Avocado nurseries are

currently producing ca. 110 000 trees p.a. These trees are mainly being used to replace old orchards, but there are also some completely new orchards being planted.
Avocados ,Bananas ,Pineapples ,Mangoes ,Papayas ,Granadillas ,Litchis ,Guavas