Western Cape avocado production on the rise

Avocado production is booming in the Western Cape, and new insights into the industry were shared at a recent grower day

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Avocado production in the Western Cape is growing, visitors to the recent Avocado Grower Day were told. The information day, held in May and hosted by Arisa Packhouse and cultivar developers Citrogold, attracted new and established producers as well as researchers, packers, industry organisations and marketers.

There are more production challenges in the Western Cape, such as soil variations and wind, but the late-season availability of avocados from the region means an extended presence of South African fruit on the export market, as well as avocados on local shelves during December and January.

Avocado production is synonymous with South Africa's northern areas, particularly Hoedspruit (earliest fruit), Tzaneen, Nelspruit and Hazyview. Limpopo and Mpumalanga are the main contributors to avocado production, with 54% and 22% respectively, with KwaZulu-Natal adding another 18% to the country's total production of 146 000+.

The Western Cape has been contributing 5% to the avocado production statistics, notably the George, Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn areas.