Avocado production: Western Cape vs the northern provinces

Avocado production in South Africa has traditionally been linked to the hot and humid northern provinces. Recently, though, Western Cape plantings have grown. Louis Vorster, who has extensive experience in avocado production, spoke to Marinda Louw Coetzee about the differences in production between these regions.

- Louis Vorster

How long have you been involved in the avocado industry and in what capacity?

Avocados have been part of my life since I started at Westfalia in January 1986. I have held various management positions in operations and the commercial environment and served on the board of the South African Avocado Growers' Association (SAAGA) from 1994 to 2013.

Since 2017, I have been a shareholder and director in three farming operations in the Southern Cape, which produce mainly avocados but also soft citrus and macadamias.

How does the avocado industry differ in the northern provinces compared with the Western Cape?

Western Cape avocados have a later window in the market, as harvesting of the Hass and Gem cultivars starts in late September (mostly young trees) or the beginning of October, and runs until the end of December.

The plantings at Soekmekaar and Magoebaskloof in Limpopo and certain areas in KwaZulu-Natal have marketing windows similar to those of avocados from the Southern Cape.

How do the unique agricultural challenges faced by avocado growers in the Western Cape, such as soil variability and wind, contrast with those in other regions?

From a technical viewpoint, the variation in soil types in the Western Cape is a challenge. Avocados prefer well-drained soil.

Soil mapping is important when planning avocado orchards, as irrigation blocks should be determined by soil type. This can complicate irrigation planning and management practices. On a 20ha piece of land in the George area, there can be five to six different types of soil.